Shocking exit of 'the' Rafael Nadal from Wimbledon

Czech player, Rosol, played the match of his life. Unknown till now, the 101^th ranked player on the circuit has defeated the number 2 ranked player of the world with a score line of 6-7 (9-11) 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4. Rafael Nadal, who has not lost at such an early stage of the tournament since Wimbledon 2005, was thoroughly outplayed by the lanky 6’5’’ Lukas Rosol.

Rosol, whose best performance till date has been third round of French open 2011, played his heart out. Although agreed that Nadal may not be very best, but still nothing can be taken away from Rosol. Nadal is capable of beating most of the players on the circuit even on his bad-day. But today, he simply had no answer to the power-packed punches which were delivered to him by Rosol.

Rosol started off the match with two consecutive aces and few would have fathomed what was about to follow over the next five sets. Nadal managed to break Rosol’s serve as early as fifth game of the match. However, he could not hold on to his serve and Rosol immediately broke back Nadal’s next serve. The set went into a tie-breaker with Rosol having a set point with Nadal to serve. However, he could not break his serve and finally Nadal took the tie-breaker (11-9).

The second set started on a positive note for Rosol as he had 3 break points in the very first game itself. And to sum that game up, Nadal gifted the last point with a double fault. Although Nadal had a break point in the next game, Rosol made his big serve count. The rest of the games were more or less regulation games with each player holding on to the serve. Rosol managed to close down the set at 6-4. The most shocking part of the set was Nadal made only one unforced error and still lost the set.

Rosol managed to get a break right in the third game of the third set. He was asking all sorts of questions and with Nadal having an awful day at work, he did not fail to capitalize on the opportunities. Rosol then managed to hold on to his serves and duly closed out the set 6-4. Where Rosol was building momentum and confidence, Nadal was getting agitated. I haven’t seen him this frustrated or agitated since long.

Nadal had never lost a match in Wimbledon after winning the first set. Besides, he has never been defeated to such a lowly ranked player before. Though the statistics were stacked against Rosol, he gave everything to the match. Rosol would always have expected Nadal not to give up. Nadal came fighting back into the fourth set and broke the sixth game and eight game of the set to win 6-2.

Rosol’s first serve points won dipped alarmingly from 92% in first set to 60% in fourth. Also, Nadal had started dominating the rallies. One would always back Nadal when the match is going to the fifth set. With the experience of playing under pressure and the experience of “been there and done that” anyone would have put his money on Nadal.

And then the officials started putting the roof on centre court. This proved to be a welcome break for Rosol as he was looking out of sorts in the fourth with his first serve and Nadal had begun dominating the game.

After a 43 minute break Rosol came back roaring into the match by breaking the very first game of the set. And then, it was again back to holding serves for Rosol. With his first serve in the money again and all his booming forehand winners on target it was impossible for Nadal to get back into the game.

Anyone and everyone who was glued to their TV sets across the globe may not have imagined this kind of upset. Even when Rosol was serving for the match and his first serve was going really good, no one would have imagined him to go all the way. Surely, logic says that he should have blinked, he should have given Nadal that little opening which is needed to be back into match. However, with three match points, all the demons were put to rest with a big ace which actually summed up the match.

Rafael Nadal was thoroughly outplayed by this lowly ranked player. Obviously, Murray would now be having an eye on the progress or otherwise of this dark horse.

Poets of the Fall: Temple of Thought

It was only two days back that I read somewhere that Poets of the Fall have released a new album. 20 minutes later I was in my room with my headphones on and the door of my room locked. There was no way anybody was going to disturb me for the next 40 minutes or so. So I went and immersed myself in the music, ready to be surprised and knowing I would spend some time marveling at the lyrics. I was still unprepared for the emotional rollercoaster the album would put me through. I went from smiling at its beauty to crying bitter tears and back again, in-between being completely in awe of what I was hearing. When I came up for air I was shaken to the core and rather speechless. It took quite a few more 'listenings' before I was ready and able to put my feelings into words. In the first days of listening I got so lost in the music that the world outside completely disappeared. When I came out of my trance-like state, I knew I needn’t have worried…

The fact is, Poets of the Fall have always managed to impress me with every collective album they’ve released – though in varying degrees – not only for the strong melodic structure of their songs and tone in each album, but also for their strong songwriting. Every time I sit to write I find myself swept along by the music & forget to actually type.  Seldom do I find an album to be so all-consuming.  Well, let’s face it: Temple of Thought picks up exactly where Twilight Theater ends.

The sound is clear and full, it’s pure joy to just listen to the music. It never ceases to amaze me how a band that produces and mixes all their songs in their own studio still manages to sound better than at least 80% of all music out there. Captain is truly a master of arranging, mixing and producing music.

 Poets of the Fall hit all the right notes & Temple of Thought is a beautiful melange of styles.  If you’re looking for an album of 2012 this is it!

Tracklisting: 

1. Running Out of Time (3:10)
2. Temple of Thought (4:35)

3. Cradled in Love (4:41)

 4. Kamikaze Love (3:39)
5. The Lie Eternal (4:32)
6. Skin (4:26)
7. The Distance (5:03)
8. Show Me This Life (4:26)
9. Morning Tide (4:38)

10. The Ballad of Jeremiah Peacekeeper (5:04)
11. The Happy Song (4:19)

I was instantly sucked in by the opening of Running Out of Time.  Olli Tukiainen (lead guitar) & Jaska Mäkinen (rhythm guitar) start things out with a rapid pace & a heavy rhythm chord.  Add in Jari Salminen‘s drums & by the time Marko Saaresto‘s vocals rip out I feel like I should, in fact, be running.  Olli shows off his ability to play blistering guitar with technical precision toward the end of the song.  I expected a boisterous end but Marko changes things up & the last sound is but a whisper of “time“.  It’s easy to get caught up in the catchy music while singing along.  The lyrics are typical of POTF & it is worth grabbing the liner notes & really taking a look at the words on the page.

‘Temple of Thought’ is the first song on the album that brought me to the verge of tears. It is one of the most beautiful love songs I have ever heard and my immediate reaction was “I want someone to feel like that about me!” When Marko sings, “chills come racing down my spine” I can feel just that and get goosebumps that last for the rest of the song. It perfectly conveys the feeling of being deeply and utterly in love, knowing the feeling is mutual. The perspective in the song changes from “I” in the first verse to “you” in the second verse and “we” in the bridge. In the verses, the protagonist of the song starts from describing what he feels and wants to do to what his lover does and means to him to saying what it feels like when they are together. The chorus is a promise to his lover. In these lyrics I feel a mixture of very new love and all the excitement that comes with it, as well as love that has been there long enough to be sure of it. I really want to be so much in love again that I’d feel compelled to tell someone they are “the heart of my temple of thought”.

The musical talents of POTF are not lacking by any means & their ability to go from gentle love songs to heavy metal on the same album makes for a fantastic listening experience.  The Lie Eternal falls somewhere in the middle.  Rhythm guitar & percussion are weighty; the vocals gritty with the reality of a lie readily believed.

POTF close out this album with a song by their gaming alter-ego Old Guards of Asgard (a fictional band from the Alan Wake video game).  The Happy Song is an oddly named song because it has very little to do with being happy.  Rather it is violent metal with touches of insanity.  It’s catchy, singable & slightly scary… nothing like taking all the expectations built up over an album & flipping it on its ear.

Poets of the Fall take this album for a wild ride.  They explore the human condition thoroughly through our connections to Love–lost, found, desperately clung to and pushing us into moments of reckless abandon.

With this, I will leave you and I wish you a good journey through this album once it arrives on your player. If you love Poets of the Fall I assure you that you won’t be disappointed. This album contains some of everything that makes them so special as a band and I’m sure it contains something for each one of their fans.

Gangs of Wasseypur - Gory, vulgar, violence-ridden but entertaining.

Revenge. That is the underlying sentiment of the movie. From Sultana Daaku to Ehsaan Quereshi to Sultan Singh and to Sardar Khan, all are hell-bent on avenging something or the other. And other times they would be busy serenading some girl, end up marrying her, have fun and procreate. In between, you have a liberal dose of knives, country made pistols, bullets and crude bombs and suddenly the movie becomes all explosive.  Add to this cuss words after every few sentences and voila, you have the audience in splits.

                Maybe that was being a little too strict with the movie. To be honest, the movie does entertain you. And does that to you for the better part of the almost 3 hour long run. But the kind of entertainment that the movie has to rely on is certainly too crass and obtuse for a level-headed person. Notwithstanding, the movie has certain scenes which have been played brilliantly by the actors and are adequately backed by opportune and perfectly timed songs.

                 Gangs of Wasseypur as the name suggests is a movie on gangs of Wasseypur. Wasseypur is this small town next to the coal-rich town of Dhanbad. Most of the first half of the first part of this movie is devoted to the history behind these gang wars and in building a family tree. It gets so confusing that you have no option but to only watch the movie with intense concentration. There are way too many characters. All of them get married. And they beget children. Who in turn get married and themselves have children. They pass on the legacy of their age-old revenge from generation to generation and you are forced to memorise the set of characters in one generation before the next generation turns up. The story begins in the backdrop of a feud between one gangster from the Quereshi caste, Sultana Daaku and a Pathan, Khan. The Pathan develops another enemy, Ramadhir Singh. All this has the coal mining belt of Bihar (now Jharkhand) in centre focus. From coal wars to petrol wars to fish wars, you have it all.

                But the superb acting of the cast is what impresses you apart from the ability to keep you at the edge of your seat for the better part that is. Risha Chadda, who plays Sardar Khan’s wife, plays the role of an Indian wife with a twist. She is happily married, keeps getting pregnant and repects her husband. But that does not keep her from going to the house of a prostitute with a knife and make her husband flee from there. The stunning composure and bearing that she maintains throughout the film is remarkable. So also Manoj Bajpai, aka Sardar Khan, plays a role of an orphaned-boy-turned-small-time-criminal-turned-gangster and plays it a class-apart performance. So also do most of the other actors.

                The movie though has been made with no sense of time or duration. It drags on a lot and you realise that the scenes have been added simply to stretch it to 5 hours or so. The first half of the movie could easily have been wrapped up in around 90 minutes. The songs do keep you plugged in and a few of them are made intentionally with double meanings. This seems to have become a signature recipe for making the audience laugh. It’s a movie which is bad, gross, downright indecent, but yet is entertaining, funny and certainly unavoidable.

Ratings - ***1/2

The manner and timing of the announcement reeks of male chauvinism: Sania Mirza

After been given a wildcard entry in Olympics, Sania Mirza comes out all guns blazing on everybody – AITA, Paes, Bhupathi and Dr Paes. Accusing AITA as male chauvinist, she asserts that she has been used as bait and which I don’t feel is wrong. We expect Indian women to better in all the areas. Everytime Sania goes to a grand slam, we want her to progress to as many rounds as possible. Currently, she has been highest the ranked singles player India has seen (Apart from Vijay Amritraj and Ramesh Krishnan who have been better ranked then her in past). And still she was asked to compromise due to the feud of Paes between Bhupathi.

AITA has been taking a stand that they will keep the interests of the country above everything else. I don’t believe their stand remained the same while pairing Sania with Paes. Certainly, they don’t think this pair would be better than Grand Slam winning combination of Bhupathi and Mirza. In doubles, co-ordination and partnership is of utmost importance. Ignoring that and by partnering Sania with Paes, either AITA has favoured Paes and did not think about the country (which they said while trying to partner Paes with Bhupathi) or that they actually think Sania – Paes would form a better pair than the Grand Slam winning combination of Sania – Bhupathi. Certainly, AITA must know that by winning Grand Slam they have proved that they are one of the best pair in world. However, it is impossible to fathom the thinking behind the pairing of Sania and Paes.

Sania Mirza claiming that we are still male chauvinist is absolutely correct. However, it would be a pity if everyone now starts criticizing her for all the reasons apart from tennis.

Whatever done has been done. Hopefully, AITA and everyone, learns a good lesson or two out of the whole saga. Certainly, what has happened with Sania is absolutely wrong.

Sania Mirza quotes:

“I feel absolutely thrilled and emotionally overwhelmed to have qualified to represent India at the Olympics in London. I am extremely grateful to the International Tennis Federation for the faith they have reposed in me by giving me a wild card entry that gives me a cherished opportunity to represent my country at the Olympics for the second time in my life.

While, of course, nobody in the world can guarantee winning a medal in London, I can promise that I shall leave no stone unturned to bring glory to my beloved country.

I have to admit that helplessly watching the sport that I love and passionately play , go through extremely trying times in my country in the last few days and the unusual pressures that I was personally subjected to have left me shaken and disturbed. But I can assure all my countrymen that I shall never allow these difficult circumstances to come in the way of giving my very best when the Games begin.

Since the day AITA announced the team for the Olympics a lot of questions have been raised by friends, colleagues, their parents and of course, by the media. As I thought these questions were purely hypothetical without my having qualified into the London Olympics, I did not think it was appropriate for me to respond to them at that point of time. However, now that I am officially a part of the greatest sporting event in the world, I think it is imperative for me to clarify my feelings.

To Dr. Vece Paes, who has on camera asked me to give in writing about my intention of partnering his son for the mixed doubles event at the Olympics, I would like to point out that my commitment is to my country. For the sake of India I am committed to play with Leander Paes or Mahesh Bhupathi or Rohan Bopanna or Somdev Devvarman or Vishnu Vardhan or any other person that my country feels I am good enough to partner. There should never ever be a question on this although if asked, I am entitled to have my preferences. I will do everything I possibly can to win a medal for India.

To Leander Paes I would like to point out that Vishnu Vardhan is an extremely talented player, who I had the privilege of partnering. We went on to win a silver medal for India at the 2010 Asian Games, when all the three male stalwarts of Indian tennis had opted to stay away from Guangzhou. I am convinced that he can go one better when pitted with someone as good as Leander as partner. For Leander to consider partnering with Vishnu only if he has a written assurance from me to play mixed (as Vece Uncle has suggested in his television interviews) is, I think demeaning for me, Vishnu and Leander Paes.

Mahesh Bhupathi has firmly stood by his commitment to play together with his men's doubles partner, Rohan Bopanna as he genuinely believed it was good for India. However, in the process, he sacrificed the commitment he made to me to try and win an Olympic medal together for India. Each person has his or her own priorities and I would like to believe that Mahesh made his choice in the best interests of the country.

As an Indian woman belonging to the 21st century, what I find disillusioning is the humiliating manner in which I was put up as a bait to try and pacify one of the disgruntled stalwarts of Indian tennis. While I feel honoured and privileged to have been chosen to partner Leander Paes, the manner and timing of the announcement reeks of male chauvinism where a two time Grand Slam champion, who has been India's number 1 women's tennis player for almost a decade in singles and doubles is offered in compensation to partner one of the feuding champions purely in order to lure him into accepting to play with a men's player he does not wish to play with! This kind of blatant humiliation of Indian womanhood needs to be condemned even if it comes from the highest controlling body of tennis in our country.

I have been fortunate to achieve a career best singles ranking of 27 in the world that has been only bettered by Vijay Amritraj (16) and Ramesh Krishnan (23) even amongst the men in the modern era. I have a career best doubles ranking of 7 in the world, which only Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi have bettered. I am the only Grand Slam champion from India apart from Mahesh and Leander. I believe I can expect a little more respect from the National Tennis Federation than what has been accorded to me even if they did not think it necessary to send me a simple congratulatory message after I had won my second Grand Slam title 3 weeks ago.

What is even more shocking is the manner in which facts have been misrepresented to the public at large to paint a totally wrong picture in an attempt to justify the breaking up of a team that won a second Grand Slam title only days earlier. Leander and I are not the only combination likely to get a direct entry into the mixed doubles draw at the Olympics, as has been wrongly portrayed. If that was true, a highly intelligent man like Dr. Paes would not have felt insecure enough to ask for my written declaration to partner Leander. AITA, itself would not have needed to write a letter to Mr. Randhir Singh giving details of the final pairings and clarifying that these could not be changed without the written permission of the IOA!

I would like to reiterate that I consider it the ultimate honour to represent India to the best of my abilities at the Olympics and I will do everything I possibly can with whosoever I am partnered with. This has always been my stand and this will never change. I only seek the blessings of the people of our beloved country. Nothing more.”

The tennis saga has been messier than ever. It will always be debatable whether it was Bhupathi – Bopanna’s fault or Paes and AITA’s fault. However, one thing is certain, except for Bhupathi and Bopanna, no one is benefitting out of it. At the end of the day, someone had to make huge sacrifice or at least make it appear they are making one. All eyes will be on AITA. It seems matches have already begun. All we can hope for is it does end up as a love all (0-0) game.

Source of Sania Mirza’s quote: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tournaments/london-olympics/Humiliating-to-be-used-as-bait-for-Paes-Sania-Mirza/articleshow/14418170.cms

Euro 2012 - Review & Predictions

After three weeks of mind blowing football, we are down to the final four or if I may call them the fantastic four. The Euro cup is probably the biggest international football tournament after the World Cup and this Euro has been no less fun either with a lot of surprising results and amazing football. The most shocking of them all was the exit of the World Cup 2010 finalists Netherlands who failed to get on the score board after the group stages. The host nations fought hard but even they had to bow out. But one has to feel for Denmark who although were stuck in the group of death, still played their hearts out and almost managed to sneak through to the last 8. Germany, Spain and England romped through into the last 8 and France, Italy and Portugal did just enough to make the final cut.

In the group of 8, CR7 aka Cristiano Ronaldo headed home Portugal into the final 4 leaving the C(z)ech behind. Germany were their consistent self without losing any points in the group stage, where they thrashed the 2004 Euro winners Greece to a 4-2 defeat. All this when Gomez was not even on the score sheet. Spain took on the mighty French who hadn’t lost a game since Oct 2010. Xabi Alonso who was playing his 100^th game scored a brace to take the Spaniards home. But the pick of the quarter finals was the England vs Italy game. Italy definitely looked the better of the two teams but ninety minutes were not enough to separate the two and the game went on to penalties after extra time. It seems, England have become the chokers in football - like South Africa are in Cricket. Both the Ashleys (Cole & Young) failed to convert their penalties and ensured that the English yet again fail to go into the final 4 of a major tournament.

So the stage is set - Portugal vs Spain and Germany vs Italy. Both are really mouth watering fixtures and its even steven as all the four have the quality and the capability to take on any side on their day.

The first semi-final is between Portugal and Spain, which would basically mean seeing the Barcelona & Real Madrid players in action with as many as thirteen players in both the teams put together from these two clubs. On paper the Spanish look the favorites but going by the current form we would have to go with the Portuguese. The Spanish have been setting records in the number of passes made in the match, a staggering 900 passes in ninety minutes and we all know the ball is always going to be at their feet. The Portuguese have to play on the counter with the likes of Nani, Ronaldo and Almeida. The Spanish do not have the fire power in front of the goal which might be a cause of concern for them against the skillful Pepe and Coentrao. Portugal has been riding high on the sublime form of their star captain Cristiano Ronaldo who has scored three goals and has hit the post four times. Portugal will miss the services of Postiga who sustained a thigh injury against the Czech. So all in all it is going to be a cracker of a game - full of goals. I’d say Spain would move ahead from this side of the draw overpowering the Ronaldo-inspired Portuguese.

Spanish Supporters at the Euro 2012

The second semi-final is a Germany vs Italy game. The Germans have been in red hot form this Euro and are the only team which has not even drawn a game, let alone lose. They have a perfectly balanced side with a superstar in almost all positions. Their midfield is the heart of their play. Gomez has been scoring goals for fun and even Klose has joined in the party in the last game. Italy on the other hand has won only one out of their four games (in normal time) and the other one on penalties and has somehow managed to reach the semis. Balotelli and Pirlo nevertheless have looked good throughout the tournament. So will it be the 2006 World Champions or the most consistent team in the tournament? I feel it would be the Germans as they have truly been a class apart.

Members of the German National Squad

So if all happens as per my calculations then it should be a Spain vs Germany final, which I feel Spain should win (‘coz I am supporting them). But logic tells me it is going be the Germans this time. So let’s see who takes the Euro2012 and makes a statement ahead of the 2014 World Cup finals.

Enjoy the matches !!

You can follow the matches online at UEFA’s official website.

Café by the Beach - Sun, Sand and Mumbai !

In Mumbai, what do you think of doing when the monsoons hit the city? Well you hit the road and head straight to Marine drive. That’s what we did last weekend when the first real rains hit the city of dreams. We packed ourselves in a car and off we went slowly manoeuvering our way through the heavy downpour. It being a Saturday didn’t help as like us the whole city wanted to enjoy the rains at the queen’s necklace. We finally reached the beach and the sea was roaringly beautiful what with the huge waves. We couldn’t get down from the car as that meant being completely drenched in a matter of seconds so we thought we would go to this place called ‘Café by the Beach’ which was near Girgaum chowpatty.

We parked the car opposite the café and the valet came running with umbrellas and escorted us inside. None of us had been to the place before. Café by the beach is this wonderful beach side shack, like the ones you find in Goa. That was a pleasant surprise. The place was so breezy that you would just feel lost in awe of the Arabian Sea. It’s dimly lit with yellow lights and leaves protruding from the pillars. The flooring is of natural sand which gives makes you feel you are on the beach and not in the restaurant. The waiters are all in Hawaii shirts and comfortable capris. The tables and chairs were made of wood with candles and artificial lighting on it. The tables towards the sea carry a cover charge of Rs 500 per person (which, with the benefit of hindsight, I feel is a throw away), whereas the tables in the centre do not carry any cover charge. For those looking for a little privacy can book a Shamiana which carries a cover of Rs 3000 (flat) irrespective of the number of heads. After racking on our brains as to where we should sit, we finally found ourselves on a cosy table in the centre.

The menu was divided into two separate booklets, but neither of them was an exclusive drinks menu. And the only disappointment is that they do not serve any hard drinks. So for those who were thinking of spending a totally Goa styled Sunday will have to make do with juices and shakes. The menu was pretty much continental and Italian with a variety of drinks. The place opens at 8am so there were cereals, cornflakes, eggs, tea, coffee and the likes. We ordered a ‘mezze platter’ and ‘nachos’ along with our beverages. The choco tsunami (a milk based drink) is a must have. The drinks came soon so we took them towards the sea and stood there enjoying the mesmerizing view of the queen’s necklace. We had left our shoes at the table so the wet sand felt like heaven coupled with the drizzle and breeze.

The food arrived soon thereafter and the occupied almost the entire table as the mezze platter comprises of 7-8 quarter plates of salads, dry fruits, pita, humus, cheese, etc. The bowl of nachos was at least 3 inches high. It comes with sour cream, schezwan sauce and a mint sauce. Everything was very tasty and filling. The garlic bread is also a must have. We were so full that we couldn’t go in for main course or dessert. The crepes (which I have had another time) are also really yum. We again lazed around the solo swing towards the sea before ordering for the check. The prices were all inclusive as mentioned in the menu plus a 10% service charge (but no service tax on that J).

The overall experience was one of a kind as one didn’t feel like leaving. We felt like we were in Goa, away from the hustle bustle of the city but we were right there overlooking marine drive. One should definitely go in the evening to Café by the Beach to experience some wonderful time at the beach. Average bill for two would by around Rs 1200 but it is totally worth it.

You can reach CBTB at Cafe by theBeach @ Facebook

Rio+20 - The future that wants us

20 years ago, 108 heads of state and total representatives from around 172 countries arrived in the idyllic city of Rio de Janeiro. The agenda was to save the earth. The response was so overwhelming that it was later nicknamed as the ‘earth summit’. The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development was hailed to be a path breaking event, a watershed of sorts. ‘Sustainable development’ was given impetus. A new international framework was conceptualised. The Rio declaration laid stress on Sovereignty of the member states, the right of developing nations for development and various other measures.

2 decades later, as world leaders congregate at Rio, to mark the completion of 20 years of the Rio Conference, the future of the human race depends on the outcome of Rio+20. And it’s not just heads of state, but thousands of NGOs and private companies participated in Rio+20. The focus of the conference was (a) a green economy in the context of sustainable development  & poverty eradication; and (b) the institutional framework for sustainable development. Based on these focus areas, the conference has earmarked 7 priority areas. 

Key takeaways for the develop world

      1.       Coming together of China, Brazil, India and South Africa and press for the rights of the developing world.

      2.       G-77 nations supporting the efforts led by India and the other BASIC countries.

      3.       India managing to get ‘elimination of poverty’ a priority over a green economy.

‘The Future We Want’

                The Rio+20 document, as the title suggests, was to create a way for the future that the world wants. But is it enough is the question everyone’s been asking. The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) was stressed once again thwarting attempts by the US to scuttle the already existing international agreements. But then, that is what was done 20 years ago right? So why are we still stuck in a time warp? More importantly, merely reaffirming what we already knew for 2 decades that concerns such an important issue is in my opinion a sheer waste of the benefit of hindsight. Furthermore, the conference comes at a very inopportune time. European nations are undergoing a severe financial crisis with new countries being engulfed at regular intervals. The champions of the green cause cannot afford to cast a second glance at anything but getting their economies back into shape. They still tried to get the green economy concept going in Rio+20 but could not muster enough votes to get it incorporated in the final document. On the other hand, the US which also underwent a similar economic standstill and is now in election mode also has little to offer in terms of saving the environment. The US argues that such binding CDBRs give an unfair advantage to emerging economic giants such as India and China. 

So why this farce?

                Who doesn’t like being the saviour of the world? The developed nations have led the often hypocritical crusade of environmental protection. But they have grown for a longer time than most other developing nations. They have grown more advanced and have in the process ruined considerably, the environmental balance due to ruthless natural resource degradation. Whereas, countries such as India and China, who have lesser per capita emissions than these countries have just begun to eradicate poverty and provide a sustainable livelihood to their populace. Asking them to cut their development would not only be imprudent but would be borderline criminal. Nations must realise that such farce will only have short term benefits. In the long run, as Keynes put it, we will all be dead.  We have to act and act now! Countries that have the means should provide economically sustainable technology to the weaker nations to reduce their emissions. Also, first the developed nations should find ways to lower their own contribution to destroying the environment. We need to understand that selfish interests will serve no purpose. A mere diplomatic win at such conferences will remain only that. The world should unite to support the elevation of the poor and in the process assure them decent livelihood. It cannot come at the cost of a green economy and neither can a green economy come at the cost of wanton development. In the end, it has to be sustainable, so that we achieve development without compromising the ability of future generations to further their development.

Ferrari ki Sawaari - A ride worth experiencing

Direction: Rajesh Mapuskar
Actors: Boman Irani, Sharman Joshi, Ritwik Sahore
Running time: 140 minutes
Rating: 3.5 / 5

Ferrari ki Sawaari is a nice, sweet movie about a father (Rustam Deboo – Sharman Joshi) who breaks his own principles so that his son (Kayo – Ritwik Sahore) can go to Lords for cricket training. Ferrari ki Sawaari is not a movie based on cricket and certainly unlike Iqbal. But it has its own charm and is entertaining in its own way.

Rustam is an employee in a government office and is just able to meet his ends. However, he is honest to the core and even tries finding a traffic police to pay fine when he inadvertently breaks the signal (whom he eventually finds). His son, Kayo, is an exceptional cricketer and captain of his team. However, when Kayo gets selected for the training at Lords, Rustam does not have money for the same. And there begins the story of Rustam trying to steal a Ferrari (albeit for some hours after which he intends to return it).

The movie seems to be a bit slow in the first half and tends to be a drag at the end of first half. However, it picks up nicely in second half and is quite emotional towards the end. Although the movie is slow paced, it is nicely done and one feels happy-happy with a traditional, bollywood ishtyle happy ending. The movie succeeds in keeping a smile on the face with awesome punch lines at regular intervals.

The acting of all the characters in the movie is impeccable. Sharman Joshi fitted nicely into the role of a Parsi. Boman Irani is very natural and has nicely carried out the role of a frustrated grandfather. Paresh Rawal has played a nice little cameo. Also cameo roles of the Cricket coach (Satyadeep Mishra), Sachin’s servant (Aakash Dabhade) and Pakya (Nilesh Divekar) are worth a mention.

Overall, it’s a thumbs up for Ferrari ki Sawaari.

Wimbledon 2012 – Men's Preview

Finally, Wimbledon – The Mecca of Tennis has arrived. Wimbledon will always have a special place in the heart of true tennis lovers – above Australian Open, French Open and US Open. A tournament, which started in 1877, still rules the tennis world.

It has been much debated that the grass of Wimbledon is not the same anymore. It is slower than what it used to be. Thus, players like Nadal, who relentlessly keep on chasing the ball, have an advantage over players who believe in playing short rallies.

Now comes the important question – Who will be the Wimbledon 2012 Champion. There are two ways to answer the question. First is to use your brain, follow logic and come to the conclusion that Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have reached unattainable heights and it is practically not possible for any other player to defeat them. Other is to use your heart and still support Roger Federer (which I’ll be doing) for winning the tournament. It seems that the elegance and artistic play brought in by RF will not be able to sustain the physical onslaught dished out by Djokovic and Nadal. And then there always is Andy Murray, who may perhaps in some other era, could have won number of Grand Slams. He is good enough to reach semis, but somehow it seems he has lost the battle mentally. It seems as if he can defeat any player but Djokovic (Although he came agonizingly close to defeating him in the semi finals of the Australian Open 2012), Nadal or Federer.

Also there is a new breed of players coming up – Tsonga, Del Potro, Berdych and Ferrer, who all seem to have the capability of defeating top seed players but do not seem to possess the required nerve to go all the way. It is worth mentioning that Del Potro, who was 2 sets to 1 down in the US Open 2009 finals, fought back to take the title. However, ever since he injured his wrist, which practically ruined his 2010, he doesn’t seem to be the same force.

Ask me to put my money on some player and it would definitely be on Djokovic. All said and done Nadal has come back roaring on to center court and is looking his best. It still would be asking for too much to expect Nadal to defeat Djokovic. The mental scars of getting defeated by the same man in previous 3 grand slam finals prior to the French Open of 2012 may just be too much to overcome.

Whosoever wins the tournament, one thing is sure that the spectators will have a cracker of a time. It’s time to sit back, relax and watch players hitting at unbelievable angles, unbelievable speeds and give a tough time to each other. The audience is going to have a gala time and I am going to keep my fingers crossed for RF.

Playing a different ball game

Finally, a long drawn saga comes to an end. Various opinions were considered, innumerable meetings held, warnings given to players and AITA tried everything in its power to break the pairing of Bhupathi – Bopanna. However, it was these players who seem to have won the battle.

However, whether the best team has won or was Indian Tennis defeated might never be known. To start with, each side will present its story which favours itself. So, when we say Bhupathi – Bopanna were correct in not teaming up with Paes as they do not have any match practice and co-ordination with him, it makes sense. At the same time, when AITA said that the country should be kept in mind while selecting the team, it also made sense. So, how to decide who is right and who isn’t???

Maybe, this is one of those topics, wherein no clear winner may come out. Maybe, 20 years down the line, we would still be debating who was right. Maybe, everything would be forgotten if Bhupathi – Bopanna get GOLD for India. But, everything is just still a ‘MAYBE’.

In my personal opinion, I feel Bhupathi – Bopanna are on the right side of the line which indirectly means AITA is on the wrong side. Having myself played doubles before (although not professionally), I can assure you that it takes weeks and months of practice to get the right co-ordination going. It is practically impossible to come together a month before tournament and gel like a team for years. On that front, I feel Bopanna has every right to refuse partnering with Paes in the Olympics. Also, his decision is in the interest of the country. It would have been very easy for a player who is representing India for the first time to give into demands of AITA. However, he stuck to the tougher route and eventually got what he wanted.

As far as Bhupathi is concerned, many would say that he has already played with Paes on earlier occasions and would not need much time to gel. However, it is all the more a reason not to partner with him, since they have been partners before and unceremoniously broken off. One should always remember that this has been the best tennis pair ever to represent India. However, I just cannot see Bhupathi able to trust Paes off court or on court. This would be a perfect recipe for disaster given the long drawn saga in which Bhupathi had openly declared he does not want to partner Paes.

Also, Bhupathi – Paes have represented India on previous four occasions and every time have returned empty handed. And one should not undermine Bopanna. With his height and physique, he can always wreck havoc in doubles. He also has the requisite experience considering that the Indo-Pak pair of Bopanna-Quereshi lost in finals of the US Open. So this team does not deserve an outright rejection.

As a final thought, Sania Mirza should not be paired with Paes because individual ranking hardly matters in doubles. What is more important is the level of understanding and co-ordination the two players share. Sania Mirza and Bhupathi already have the French open to their name and have been champions before. Breaking their partnership and partnering Sania with Paes just to pacify his ego goes against the very stand of AITA of putting the country first.

The whole thing can blow off like a pack of cards if Paes wins gold. In that scenario, the ball would be totally in his court, media would be go gaga over him (which he would deserve considering the circumstances under which he would achieve gold) and Bhupathi – Bopanna would wish this to be just a horrible dream.

However, all said and done, these teams are going to represent India. It would be better for everyone especially Bhupathi, Bopanna, Paes and Mirza to forget all this and put their best foot forward. Hopefully, the long wait for the tennis medal would end this Olympics.

Just a brief history:

Paes is India’s number 1 ranked doubles player and ranked 7^th in the world because of which he gains direct entry into the Olympics. Also, he has the right to choose his own partner. However, AITA and Paes were in for a rude shock when both Bhupathi and Bopanna refused to partner Paes individually. Thus, Paes had an option of partnering either Vishnu Vardhan (207^th ranked) or Yuki Bhambri (306^th ranked) which he was reluctant to do despite the fact that in the year 1992, when he was a new kid on the block, he was taken to Olympics under the wings of Ramesh Krishnan. AITA wanted to partner Paes with Bhupathi or Bopanna as, according to them, only then India would have won the medal. However, Bhupathi – Bopanna have made this amply clear that they would be preferred to be selected as a team only and not individually, even if that meant, losing out on the Olympics.

The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner is one of the few books published in recent years that are set in Afghanistan. These books tell the world about Afghanistan, its natives, the decades of warfare the country has seen and the devastating effects of it. Afghanistan is a beautiful place with nature’s beauty and bounty in abundance that men have ruined for gaining short-sighted political ends.

Author – Khalid Hosseini

Publisher - Bloomsbury

The story takes off with two boys Amir and Hassan growing up in the Afghanistan of the 1970′s. Amir, son of a wealthy merchant who is a formidable man, lost his mother when he was born. He is a boy with inclination towards reading books, reciting poetries and talent for writing stories but does not have any interest in sports and physical pursuits as his father would like. Hassan, son of their servant Ali, who belongs to a minority community group of “Hazras”, is a tough and loyal boy who serves as Amir’s friend, companion, servant and stands up for him in all the street fights and gets him out of all the tight corners. Nursed by the same woman, the boys learn how to crawl, play, read stories, and run kites side by side. The boys grow up together, establishing a bond thats more binding than blood ties.

Things get complicated when Amir’s father, Baba, seems to take a preference to Hassan who is athletic, smart and well-mannered. At the same time Baba finds it difficult to connect with Amir, who is more artistic, fragile and dreams of writing.

Then after a kite fighting tournament to which the title refers, something terrible happens that creates a rift between Amir and Hassan.  Not long after, they're separated when the Soviets begin moving in, setting off political chaos that remains till date.  Amir and his father go to America, while Hassan and his father stay in Afghanistan.

Over the ensuing 25 years, Amir grows up to be an able man and also finds a wife, but he never forgets Hassan or the moment of cowardice that ruined their friendship.  The only way for him to redeem himself--to be good again as a friend says--is to go back and face his demons.

This is definitely a book that came along at the right time.  With the 9/11 attacks planned by terrorists sheltered in Afghanistan and the subsequent US invasion, the American public was obviously hungry for any insight into Afghanistan and its people and Islam.  And the author doesn't disappoint here.  The problem the US faces, as did the Soviets and British before them, is that Afghans are reckless and not prone to following rigid rules, as Hosseini describes during the kite fighting.  And it has its own melting pot of cultures that to outsiders would seem trivial but to them (as demonstrated by the very different lives of Amir and Hassan) are extremely important.

A gripping emotional thriller with an ability to involve the reader in the fascinating journey of characters through inner and outer turmoil.

Madagascar 3 - Certainly most wanted !

What happens when a mean-looking French animal control officer decides that she wants a lion's head to adorn her already trophy-laden wall? And when that lion happens to be Alex, who with his friends Marty the zebra, Gloria the hippo and Melman the giraffe wants to go back to their Zoo in Central Park, New York, well it calls for an inter-continental trip of sorts. 

 The penguins fly to Monaco, leaving Alex and his friends behind and promising to return back. But they don't really have any such plan. Alex and the others meanwhile decide that they too should go to Monaco and then find the penguins so they can fly them to New York. On reaching Europe, the team creates a scene in a Casino and gets spotted by Captain Chantel DuBois. She decides that she wants Alex's head for herself. From there on it’s a complete blast. As Alex tries to escape the claws and tranquilizers of Dubois, they meet a bunch of Circus animals on a train to Rome. The journey takes them to Rome and London where a sponsor may finance their trip to New York. Where does their new circus adventure take them and whether they succeed in avoiding the clutches of DuBois, will keep you at the edge of your seat.

The movie is a treat for kids and adults alike. And it doesn’t matter if you have not seen the earlier two movies. The movie refreshes you totally and is not very lengthy (only 90 minutes) either. Although the plot slows down a bit at the end of the first half, but the second half is simply entertaining and not a dull moment to be found. Not to forget the 3D effects. They are superbly stunning and you will be left closing your eyes when Stefano the sea lion shoots in your direction from the cannon or the multitudes of other random scenes. It surely is very realistic. 

Madagascar 3 ensures that you have a smile on your face all throughout the movie. I would certainly recommend it to those you watch movies purely for relaxation and entertainment. Go catch a show and let the child within you awaken.

Rating - ***