Politics: Women Safety Vs Cop Safety!

In the revolutionary follow-up to the horrific Delhi gangrape women safety has been dominating the think-tank of the nation with brainstorming, measures, judiciary commissions, ordinances and laws-in-making coming up in quick time thanks to the concern finally shown even by politicians towards this societal issue. The police have come up as the immediate authority who could practically contribute immensely towards this cause with interactive or proactive or cooperative efforts. But as a total jerk and a terrible contrast the safety of the police itself has suddenly confronted this clueless nation called India or rather the largest democracy of the world.

Recently a cop had been killed in broad daylight in a town of the famously feudal Uttar Pradesh—beaten up badly first and then shot. A notorious politician, currently a minister in the state government led by a most ‘promising’ young educated Chief Minister, had been implicated in the murder. A FIR had been filed against him, but no arrest till date. This is only to show how indispensable that minister or political leader is to any political party in power thanks to his ‘proven’ powers and ‘muscular’ politics. Suddenly then, the national outrage in media circles turned to ‘how safe are cops in India’! Pray, what about women safety?

Cut to the financial capital, cinema capital, richest capital and spirited capital of India, Mumbai. The Budget session of the Legislature of Maharashtra had been going on since March 11, 2013 in Mumbai and it was yesterday on the eve of presenting the state Budget that cop safety issue had taken another atrocious turn. An inspector of Mumbai Police was asked to attend the Legislative Assembly session yesterday, because a breach of privilege notice against him was going to be discussed. The inspector allegedly misbehaved with a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA­) when the latter was stopped for over speeding on a sea-link bridge—a must sightseeing for tourists in Mumbai. While the discussion was going on a group of MLAs suddenly marched towards the visitors’ gallery and beat up the inspector unawares. The MLAs belonged to various rival political parties meaning they could always unite for ‘just’ reasons!  The poor cop had to be taken to a hospital later. This unprecedented incident in an august constitutional body outraged the nation again and brought the focus fully on cop safety. Normally, citizens complain against the highhandedness of policemen and condemn their proximity to politicians. In fact, Delhi police was severely criticized for its inept handling of crimes against women in the aftermath of the Delhi gangrape. Now, the equation has been changed irrevocably. Pray, what about women safety?

Incidentally, the anti-rape Bill got passed by Lok Sabha—the lower house of the Indian Parliament—last evening as planned and now it has to be passed by the upper house to make it a law, preferably by 22^nd March when the Parliament goes into recess a month and the Ordinance on anti-rape lapses on 4^thApril. Ironically, attendance was visibly poor in Lok Sabha, maybe because while no political party member could afford to oppose the much-needed law their ‘maleness’ did not allow them to do it in public! The only bone of contention got resolved nicely—the age for consensual sex remains at 18.

Meanwhile, the coalition government plunged into a crisis following the withdrawal of support by a key and an outstandingly unreliable ally on the fateful day of 19^th March, 2013. Five ministers of that party resigned today. Their demands over the conditions of Tamils of Sri Lanka wanted the Government of India to officially interfere in the internal matters or the sovereignty of Sri Lanka—the kind that Pakistan has been used to doing to India. But the pangs of survival are unfortunately making the government find ways of succumbing to it respectfully. Saner minds of the country want mid-term elections rather than going on with survival and blackmail politics. The situation is pathetic as from now on the coalition government will have to cater to the likes of two most lethally feudal forces of Uttar Pradesh—Mayawati and Mulayam for utter survival.

Pray, what about women safety? Who will ensure safety for whom? Answer is INDIA!

Cricket India Vs Australia: India Seal Test Series 3-0, Create History!

India defeated Australia by 6 wickets in the Mohali Test today clinching the Series 3-0 and regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after they lost it 0-4 in Australia. They have indeed created history by the effort. Never before in Test cricket history against Australia have India won more than two Tests in a series and never with a zero margin. Now they have a very good chance of making it 4-0, an exact revenge delivered, in Delhi where the last Test starts from 22^nd March, 2013. India also never won three Tests in a series since 1993-94 when they swept Sri Lanka under the leadership of Mohammad Azharuddin. For Australia they have never lost three Tests in a series since 1988-89 under the leadership of Alan Border. The most positive aspect of the Mohali Test of swinging fortunes is that the match had a nail biting finish in the last moments of the last day converting it into a one-day thriller.

Aussie captain Michael Clarke did come in at No. 6 to bat, but he never looked at ease due to his troubling back falling yet again to the guiles of more spinner than an all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. At 179 for 9 it looked to be all over for Australia with India chasing a very gettable target. But the near centurion of the first innings Mitchell Starc (35) with the robust company offered by Xavier Doherty (18 not out) decided to fight off an Indian victory at all costs struggling for more than 18 overs for 44 runs. Time was running out for India and the total threatened to get bigger and bigger. When Australia folded up finally for 223 runs India had a target of 133 to win in possible 40 overs. On the last day pitch of a Test it was never easy and the Australian bowling attack made India huff for every run, but the absence of Shane Watson and James Pattinson came handy for India though they were also without the man of the match Shikhar Dhawan who got a hand injury while fielding. Australians in the final analysis must blame themselves for a consistent poor show and not being able to at least save this match.

Cheteshwar Pujara who opened in place of Dhawan and Murli Vijay progressed comfortably, but with the fall of regular wickets pressure started building up and Tendulkar succumbed to it by falling run out. It was nearly getting to a run-a-ball suspense when a few lusty hits by captain Dhoni and Jadeja saw Team India through to a historic win. More positively all the Indian batsmen contributed this time for the win.

The Indian spinners held sway on the last day with Jadeja getting three scalps while Ravichandran Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha got two each. Pacer Bhuvaneshwar Kumar did the real damage yesterday by mopping off three top order batsmen. The Scorecard:

Mohali Test will be remembered for its ups and downs, a real tight finish and glorious batting by Dhawan and Vijay. Cricket Australia will have a real dilemma of team selection for the Delhi Test with an unfit captain and a possible return of vice-captain Shane Watson. For the Indian fans it’s time to celebrate.

Cricket India Vs Australia: Mohali Test Could Still Go India’s Way!

Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay

The third cricket Test between India and Australia in Mohali for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2013 has been interesting for all possible reasons. First day washed out due to rains that really came out of the blue. Second day saw Australia starting a grim battle with their batsmen trying more to stick on to the job rather than launching themselves for a victory, because in the back of their mind they were probably aware of the fact that a full strength team is likely to be fielded for the fourth and last Test and therefore if they manage a draw here in Mohali they could still try all guns to make a respectable defeat margin of 2-1. Third day yesterday was a classic by all standards as Australia recovered from 273/5 to 408 all out thanks to a dogged partnership of 97 runs between Smith (92) and Starc (99) for the eighth wicket and the job for a draw was almost done. Famed Indian spinners succeeded in only depriving the duo of their deserving centuries, but could not capitalize. But then, the brand new Indian opening pair, Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan, had revolutionary ideas and they translated the ideas into action in the most spectacular way possible.

Shikhar Dhawan, technically he could have been out in the very first ball and was saved thanks to a rare act of generosity by the Kangaroos, went about his job in a most flamboyant manner with his bat masterfully combining aggression and precision. Shikhar waited ages to be selected for Team India in Tests and he wasted away a few chances in the one day internationals for Team India earlier. Now he capitalized on this Sehwag-send opportunity and played only cricket unmindful of the shortest, short or longer formats. He raced to his century in just 85 balls and finished the day remaining unbeaten at 185 in 168 balls with 33 fours and 2 sixes and a strike rate of 110. A debut that could happen only in the wildest of dream did happen—the fastest Test debut ever, the second highest world score by a left-handed debutant in Tests and also the second highest by an opener on Test debut ever. Shikahr brought India back to a winning position within four days neutralizing the Australian tactics. The overall scoring rate for India was nearly five an over for the day—so rare in the Test genre. His partner Vijay continued his defense-aggression balance perfectly like in the Hyderabad Testlooking for loose balls to punish and remained not out on 83. With India at 283/0 at stumps on the third day an incredible 418 runs were scored.

Fourth day today was more similar to what normally happens to India with wickets falling in heaps. The debut-wonder boy could not last long and fell for 187 and in the very next over the new ‘wall’ and the star of the second Test Pujara was given out for LBW despite the inside edge. But Sachin Tendulkar took control of the proceedings and gave most valuable support to Murali Vijay who became the fifth Indian to score two back-to-back 150+ centuries. His partnership of 289 runs with Shikhar is the highest opening partnership involving a debutant in World Test cricket. Unfortunately after looking set for a long innings Tendulkar got out just before lunch with India at 384/3, still on for a huge first innings lead. Mitchell Starc with the new ball then struck two vital blows removing Vijay (153) and captain Dhoni (4) and the all familiar India collapse started. But for a determined Virat Kohli (67 not out) and a fighting Bhuvaneshwar Kumar (18) India could not have managed even the 91-run lead. Siddle doing the finishing off job with five for 71 India were all out for 499 runs—missing a great opportunity given by Vijay-Shikhar to build on the lead and finally it was again a story of individual brilliance and not total team effort. The depleted Australian bowling attack did a much better job today finding a lot of seam and swing. 

Michael Clarke Bogged Down!

Poor batting by Australia again revived the winning chance for the hosts. Warner, Cowan and Smith all fell to the seam and swing this time of Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. To make things further worrisome for the visitors captain Michael Clarke aggravated his back that has been troubling him for years in the warm up practice this morning and was on and off the field during the day. He did not come out to bat today and luckily for Australia Hughes, up in the order, managed a half century to remain not out on 53 with night watchman Lyon on 4 giving him company. At 75/3 still trailing by 16 and Clarke not sure to bat tomorrow Australia could very well make it 3-0 for India. The Scorecard:

An interesting finish tomorrow would be a befitting finale for an absorbing and swinging four-day Test in Mohali.