Didn't Know What Hit Me!

Yesterday evening I just alighted from the bus and was heading for the egg shop using the pavement.

All of a sudden I heard a peculiar sound and my right arm went numb up to the finger tips. I couldn't even move it. I looked around uncertainly to know what happened--was it a bullet or someone hit me or was it a bomb and all. One shopkeeper then told me that nobody did anything. A stone bigger than the cricket ball just shot off from under the wheels a running truck and hit my right arm. I then saw the stone lying by the side of the road.

I wondered aloud. My God, it hit me with such force I failed to imagine could happen. I proceeded towards my destination and bought my eggs. Then the pain came on and I felt dizzy. I decided to sit down inside the shop and shopkeeper was very helpful. He took my mobile and called my wife there.

As I took the tetanus injection and prescribed medicines at the nearest clinic I thought about what could have happened. If the hit was just one foot above the arm this freak accident might have been near fatal.

Since morning today the pain has been reducing and I had to attend office as today is the polling day of Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2009. I thanked God for getting me over a possible crisis.

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.