Two Days Of Violence!

Yesterday, suicide blast at the Indian Embassy, Kabul. More than 17 killed. Same day, Gadchiroli in Maharashtra--the border triangle of three states, Chatisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, 17 cops mercilessly shot down by Naxals, Maoist extremists. This triangle of dense forests is the epicenter of Naxalite activities. While the Taliban claimed responsibility for the Kabul blast, the Naxals are fast becoming the Taliban of India. Lurking dangers.

Again today, bomb blast in Peshawar in Pakistan where more than 40 are killed. Reports of a blast in Iraq too.

Who has achieved what out of this process of mindless violence? President Barack Obama getting the Nobel for Peace comes as the positive. This honor could very well be a booster for better things to come in near future.

ICC Champions Trophy: Sidelights!

Just to oust Team India, Pakistan adopted a negative approach in the game against Australia--well, trying to lose! After doing everything to lose they nearly won thanks to the positive vibes of the ICC T20 triumph. That day I told my friends that Pakistan's negative play would cost them the next match. And, yes it did yesterday when their innings never took off with the last pair giving some respectability in the semi final against New Zealand. Negativity is intensely corrosive. Once you are caught in it you are gone.

Rahul Dravid stated before the Championship began that he considered Australia as hot favorites! When you are a part of a competing team you should always think of your team's win only. Otherwise how you are going to compete?

Highly rated teams like South Africa, Sri Lanka, India were out before the semis. England who suffered a 5-0 drubbing against Aussies managed to sail into the semis only to make it 6-0. Now Aussies must be very happy to have New Zealand in the final to be played tomorrow.

For Team India everything went wrong right from Coach Kirsten's so-called vision document that left the already dilapidated team scandalized. For the first time no hue and cry followed India's exit. Maybe because expectations were low this time. So the 'vision'?

Somehow someway Australia is being helped at every step to become the Champions. Check it out tomorrow.

Impossible City!

I was caught unawares!

Today is the 11th day of the illuminated lunar fortnight and all immersion celebration of idols should have ended logically on the 10th day. But this time the devotees or more appropriately revelers somehow earned a bonus day and created havoc on the main arterial roads of Mumbai.

As I left office there was uninhibited celebration on the roads--crowds carrying their idols on tempos with loud dancing, louder bands playing non-stop and loudest fireworks right in the middle there. Traffic snarls and mass congregations at the bus stops. City buses started disappearing--maybe the staff need to celebrate too.

I managed to travel half the distance on a bus and afterward decided to walk the 3km home considering pondering wondering.

As usual, the homeless hordes lounged on even the most prominent pavements cooking eating sleeping defecating and suffering there while imported cars zoomed past in fond oblivion. Thousands carried on with their existential dilemma while thousands went on celebration without end and wasting money of immense proportions. And, the city admin machinery looked on. Maybe with election round the corner all voters are allowed to do whatever they want! Eat drink and be merry and 'vote for me'!

Where's this city going? What's going to happen next? How long would it take to burst out of seams? No solutions. I only managed to arrive at the title of my post!