Idiotic End to a Thrilling Cricket Series

Just imagine if India and Sri Lanka were locked 2-2 instead of Team India already clinching the ODI series 3-1. The crowds would have gone crazy seeing the hugely disappointed ones today in the abandoned match.

Delhi-the national capital of India. Amidst the roar of T20 cricket, the fours and sixes producing dry pitches and the huge money involved it just clobbers our sense of reasoning. How Delhi could have prepared such a pitch and how it could have escaped attention of the business-driven cricket Board officials. What a shame! Capital of India has almost lost the 2011 World Cup tie to be played at the now black listed Firoz Shah Kotla ground in Delhi.

The blame game has started. Political leaders too are getting articulate. The Board has disbanded the pitch committee and the officials of Delhi cricket association have already resigned. Much more to come in the coming days. Whatever happens eventually it's not going to help cricket at all and that too in the craziest cricket loving nation. Scapegoats would definitely be identified, but for what purpose. Somewhere something is wrong, seriously wrong.

We renew our demand for making competitive and sporting cricket pitches again. If T20 comes as a hurdle scrap it. Cricket must live on.

Music Workshop on Immortal Songs of Kamalananda Bhattacharya

SHRUTINAAD, a Cultural Organization of Assam, presents a music workshop on immortal songs of Poet-Composer-Playwright-Freedom Fighter Kamalananda Bhattacharya (1894-1951) at ADESA Hall, Beltola, Guwahati from January 4 to 10, 2009. Participants can collect and fill the application forms till 4th January.

There will be a musical inaugural function on 4th Jan at 2pm on account of the poet's Death Anniversary at the same venue when an audio CD of Kamalananda's songs sung by me is slated for release. Noted writer-litterateur of Assam Dr. Lakshminandan Bora has consented to be the Chief Guest of the function.

I had been very busy because of this program in the last few days and yesterday that is 26th of December I have reached Guwahati. I have to record the songs, prepare for the inaugural event and finally to conduct the workshop. Deepak Dutta, Jt. Secretary of Shrutinaad, has been working very hard and had also arranged the venue. Chinmay is likely to join me next week.

Please wish us luck and success.

Brilliant! Team India! And, Merry Christmas Happy Holidays to All of You!

This time no question of 'managing' to win or lose. This is sheer commanding victory of the match and the five match ODI cricket series against Sri Lanka leading 3-1. India was without Captain Dhoni, without Yuvraaj and, Sehwag and Tendulkar got out early and cheaply. Yet, India won the 4th ODI at Kolkata with hands down, chasing a target of 316. So refreshing to watch Gautam Gambhir and youngster Virat Kohli scoring centuries of consecutive balls. This series Indian batting had been consistent and sparkling. Only bowling and fielding need to be strengthened to become number one in Australian style. Generosity is slowly and steadily is being replaced by the Aussie 'killer instinct'. Cheers!

And, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Beautiful New Year to all of you. At the moment work is the only option for me. Poor me, having not even a weekly off amidst holidays! No problems. Work is worship. Work is celebration too. Get worked up and enjoy!