Initial IPL reactions

 

* AXE sony Max -  They are cheating cricket lovers – its like watching train of advertisements in between 6 balls – I wasnt so surprised to see my cricket-crazy cousin routing for machester city’s EPL match instead of the crazy show by sony max.

* Indian Players Pathetic – perfomance of indian players in the opening week has been very pathetic to put it in a sentence. Hopefully, moneybarrens in every franchisees now know who is worth what !

* Wonder what happened to that thought of “player burn outs”

* Mr. Shah Rukh Khan…plz behave, IPL is braodcasted all over the world !

* wonder who picked Jaipur team ?  Indian selectors ?

20.2.8

CHENNAI
Mathew Hayden                   1.5 c
Stephen Fleming                  1.4 c
Mahendra Singh Dhoni         6.0 c
Muttiah Muralidharan         2.4 c
Jacob Oram                        2.7 c
Parthiv Patel                      1.3 c
Albie Morkel                      2.7 c
Yoginger Sharma              0.9 c
Albie Morkel                     2.7 c
Chamara Silva                 0.4 c
Suresh Raina                   3.2 c
Mkaya Ntini                    0.8 c
M Hussey                        1.0 c

HYDRABAD
Adam Gilchrist         2.8 c
Andrew Symonds   5.3 c
Hershelle Gibbs       2.3 c
S Afridi                     2.7 c
VVS Laxman           1.5 c
Rohit Sharma         3.0 c
R. Zoysa                 0.44 c
C Vass                    0.8 c
RP Singh               3.5 c

DELHI
V Sehwag                  ICON PLAYER
D Vettori                   2.5 c
S Malik                      2.0 c
Mohammad Asif      2.6 c
A B Devilliers           1.2 c
D Karthik                  2.1 c
P Maharoof              0.9 c
T Dilshan                 1.0 c
G Gambhir              3.0 c
M Tiwari                 2.7 c
G Mcgrath              1.4 c

MUMBAI
S. Tendulkar            ICON PLAYER
Harbhajan Singh      3.5 c
S. Jayasurya            3.9 c
S Pollock                  2.2 c
R Uttappa               3.2 c
D Fernando            0.6 c
L. Malinga              1.4 c
S Chanderpaul
L Bosman              0.7 c

JAIPUR
Shane Warne            1.8 c
Greame Smith          1.9 c
Younis Khan             0.9 c
K Akmal                   0.6 c
Yousuf Pathan        1.9 c
M. Kaif                     2.7 c
M. Patel                   1.1 c

MOHALI
Yuvraj Singh                 ICON PLAYER
K Sangakkara               2.8 c
Mahela Jayawardena   1.9 c
Brett Lee                    3.6 c
S Sreesanth                2.5 c
Irfan Pathan              3.7 c
P Chawla                    1.6 c
R Powar                     0.68 c
R Sarwan                   0.9 c

BANGALORE 
Anil Kumble                 2.0 c
Rahul Dravid               ICON PLAYER
Jacques Kallis              3.6 c
Zaheer Khan               1.8 c
M Boucher                  1.8 c
C White                       2.0 c
W Jaffer                      0.6 c
Daryl Steyn                1.3 c
N Bracken                   1.3 c

KOLKATTA
S Ganguli                    ICON PLAYER
S Akhtar                    1.7 c
R Ponting                   1.6 c
B Mccullum                2.8 c
C Gayle                     3.2 c
A Agarkar                1.3 c
D Hussey                 2.5 c
U Gul                       0.6 c
M Karthik               1.8 c
Ishant Sharma       3.8 c
T Taibu                   0.5 c

18.2.8

Re “Delegate Lead by Obama Shifts Campaign Focus” (front page, Feb. 14):

My message to the Clinton campaign is this: If your campaign meddles with the nomination process, and somehow manages to assign the delegates from Michigan and Florida to Hillary Rodham Clinton, I, a lifelong Democrat, will vote for John McCain in the general election.

I have had enough of stolen elections. It was bad enough when the Supreme Court awarded the 2000 election to George W. Bush, even though a recount in the entire state of Florida was clearly called for.

Significant questions remain about discrepancies between the exit polls and the voting machine counts in Ohio, the critical state in the 2004 election. It’s bad enough to have the election stolen by the other side, but I will not abide it from my own party.

Hillary Clinton is not entitled to the nomination because of her stature within the Democratic National Committee. If she wins the nomination honestly through the nominating process, then I will support her in the general election.

But if her campaign tries to change the rules in the middle of the game with regard to the Florida and Michigan delegates — delegates who, according to D.N.C. rules, were supposed to have been off limits to both candidates — then I will no longer support her as the Democratic nominee, and I suspect that I will not be alone.

Alexandra Olins

Winooski, Vt., Feb. 15, 2008

excerpts from NYtimes.

9.2.8

Whole world is asking the same Question : whether it is Clinton or Obama ? Infact it is a shame that major media project them like this. Infact media barons are ignoring the best candidate out there in the upcoming American elections – Ron Paul.

Among the all candidates, from both sides, Ron Paul makes the most sense. If whole world was given the right to vote in this election, i have no doubt that Ron Paul will make it to the oval office without much trouble. He seems to talk sense – much more than Clinton or Obama.

Mr. Paul is against America playing the role of World POLICE. Mr. Paul is against increasing role of Govt in people’s life. Mr. Paul is against the patriot act. Mr. Paul is against “war industry”. He is against unwanted spending of money in wars. He want to end the war in iraq like most of the democrats. He want to focus on energy, unlike most of the republicans. He want to regain the respect that America lost with Mr. Bush. He is a total antiBUSH man – a reason why world love and respect him without hesitation.

It is kinda pathetic to see that media blackout of Raul Paul. Many of republican candidates snicker when Mr.Paul is talking in debates. I dont understand this. I think he makes the most sense out of the pack of politicans that America projects for the world. I think He was the only candidate from Republican side who frankly objected to IraQ war from the foremost. He was the first one to say IraQ has nothing to do with 911. In that case, he stand shoulder to shoulder with people’s favourite candidate Barrack Obama.

Mccain want 100 years in Iraq ! i dont think he will disagree if army wants 10, 000 years in iraq ! People need to see the joker as joker and leader as leader. Ron Paul is the man. He is the world’s choice for America.

7.2.8

Mitt Romney suspends his presidential race for election 2008. Romney, currently stands 2nd in GOP standing as far as number of delegates are concerned. Suspension inturn means that he will keep his delegates intact, but he wont be endorsing any candidates who are currently running active in the race for the white house.

According to Mitt Romney who was announcing his suspension from the race of white house, he said…

“Barack and Hillary would retreat, concede defeat in Iraq and Afghanistan”

“This is not an easy decision…i hate to lose”

This has effectively put John Mccain as the so-near-Republican-candidate for the 2008 presidential election. But this effectively give an outside chance for Huckabey to give a final run against Mccain.

Mitt Romney spend 35 M $ in this race so far. But, criticism about Mitt was that he never connected with people. Mob saw him as a business guy and was never considered as a politician.

In short, people was not sure of who mr. Romney was.

Sabarimala and its problems

Govt want to legalize women entry to sabarimala. Some are against this as this would be an action against age-old system of the hindu temple practices. Communist Govt always wanted to change the age-old system concerning temples and churches. Earlier, Govt wanted to allow non-hindus entry to famous Krishna temple in Guruvayoor. But, at that time, vehement protests from various aspects of the society forced Govt to nip the idea in the bud. Will govt again succomb to the relegious pressure ?

Govt should legalise the women’s entry as it would be a right and symbolic step in the time of emergence of India as the major player in the world. It would also sent the message to the other backward states in the country to follow the steps of the Kerala whose indices are almost at par with the developed nations. It will be the right time for the Kerala Govt to go ahead with this decision as Nation’s prime citizen is a women – another symbolic view of emergence of women in the country.

Main problem citied by various groups against the entry of women into the temple is security. Sabarimala is situated in a very small locality surrounded by deep forests. In such a region, many think that security of women will be comprimised as number of devotees visiting the temple is increasing with year. In a country where rape and molestation are just another daily activity,  the situation , if practically seen, is grim. Keeping this in mind Govt will find it hard to deal with the decision to grand entry to women in sabarimala. Sabarimala brings loads of income to the Kerala Govt on a yearly basis. Sabarimala Devosom Board, the chief controlling agency of the temple, is well known for its illegal activities like bribes and sham politics. Sabarimala also had lots of recent controversies including a famous regional actress claiming to enter the sanctum sanctorum and peronally touching the idol. Also, in a different controversy its ex-chief priest was arrested by police from an apartment with a woman. The same priest, when interrogated by court-appointed questioner failed to answer some of the basic questions regarding hindu relegion and practices. It was also revealed that the ex-priest dont have the knowledge of sanskrit – a must for priests in hindu relegious practices.

Another sheepish argument about not granding entry to women is that it will affect the concentration of male devotees ! Well, this kind of objection to this problem underlines the ineffectiveness of the society to keep up with the standards of the emerging world. Taking all things into consideration, one solution to this nighmarish problem is that supreme court of India – the apex legal system in the country – should gave out a ruling granding entry to everyone in the country to enter  and practice any relegion as they want with no objection from anyone.

4.2.8

who is broadcasting New Zealand – England series in India ? Internet search archive shows SONY SET has bagged the rights for Indian viewers from New Zealand. But nothing is shown on SET MAX about this series so far. Maybe match timings arent comfortable with IST. In any case, cricket is much better than watching some boring bollywood movies. Come on SONY put the match …

will mumbai burn again ?

nativity politics, a new mantra in indian politics ? Politicians in Mumbai dont want others coming into Mumbai for doing business. what are they trying to do ? build a wall around mumbai and protect it from other Indians ? cheap politics ! Well, if relegiously wounded hindus in gujarat can give modi another 5 years in office, why cant mumbaikers give Raj thackarey a big political push to become their political hero. wonder whether this will result in having an India with lot of regional statesmens instead of having national and international visionaries ? i really hope such cheap politics dont affect India’s chance to dominate and  run the new-world in 21-st Century.

31.1.8

No.3 falls

al-Ekhlaas.org reports that the top-ranking Al-Qaeda commander Abu-Laith-al-Libi is killled inside the Pakistani territory. A good and hopeful news for the world. Now for the lot who dont know him, here are the details…

Location: Afghanistan

Affiliation: Al-Qaeda

Role: Terrorist Operations Planner

Affiliation: Libyan Islamic Fighting Group

Affiliation: Taliban

Nationality: Libyan

Rough Age: 41

Date of Birth: 1967

Place of Birth: Libya

Height: 6′4″

Description Hair: Black; Eyes: Brown

Complexion: Dark Tan; large build

Speaks: Arabic with Maghreb/North African dialect

Injuries/Illness: Scars on back as if beaten by a belt or wire

Citizenship: Libyan

Personal: An al-Qaeda field commander and spokesman, Abu Laith was an outspoken leader of al Qaeda, appearing in videos and on the internet. It was he in July 2002 who revealed that Bin Laden was still alive, the first comments about the al Qaeda leader’s health after the end of the Afghan conflict. Then in June 2004, he is shown leading an attack on what appears to be an Afghan military outpost and calling for jihad. He was known to operate on the Afghan side of the border, working with the remnants of the Taliban..

Before coming to the mantle of Al-Qaeda, he tried unsuccessfully to overthrow Libyan government. It is now believed that he was killed 3 days ago in an US airstrike in Pakistani territories. In some US intelligence circles, he was seen as al Qaeda’s No. 3. Libyan Govt. blamed Abu-laith for the bombing which killed 23 people when Dick Cheney visited that nation. He was jailed in Soudi Arabia for some time where he received heavy beatings as punishment. These scar marks are believed to be taken as his immediate identification.

Agreed Facts from Australia !

During the 116 th over on Day 3 of the Sydney Test, Harbhajan Singh made friendly contact with Brett Lee. At the end of the over while the umpires were changing ends and the fields was crossing over to their new positions, Andrew Symonds approached Harbhajan Singh and told him that he had no friends amongst the Australians (he admits he used the word ‘fuck’ or a derivation thereof). Singh used similar language to Symonds and neither took offence at that stage.

However the exchange caused Singh to become angry and he motioned to Symonds to come towards him. Singh then said something to Symonds. There is a dispute as.to what was said. However all of the players who gave evidence to the hearing before Match Referee Procter of what was said between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds namely, Harbhajan Singh, Andrew Symonds, Mathew Hayden and Michael Clarke, are all clearly of the view that in the circumstances, Harbhajan Singh used language that was (and intended by Singh to be), offensive to Andrew Symonds. Symonds took immediate offence at the language and behaviour of Singh.

After the exchange between Singh and Symonds, Michael Clare spoke to umpire Mark Benson and complained about Singh’s behaviour, Clarke then told his captain Ricky Ponting what he had heard. Ponting went to Umpire Benson and told him that he had been informed by Clarke of the use by Harbhajan Singh of offensive language towards Andrew Symonds. On his way back to the slips position Ricky Ponting spoke with Harbhajan Singh, Sachin Tendulkar then approached Ponting and Singh and asked Ponting to allow him to manage the situation.

Ricky Ponting then went into the slips. During over 117 Mathew Hayden informed Ponting that he had heard Harbhajan Singh use offensive language towards Symonds at the conclusion of the preceding over. At the end of Over 117 Ponting went of the field and told the Australian Team Manager (Steve Bernard) about the incident.

-an excerpt from released statement of hearing on Harbhajan singh – Andrew symonds racism raw.

Mike and David Hussey

will hopefully make it to the middle of an international arena for the first time on Friday night in Melbourne, against India in the 20-20 international.

The pair could tonight become the first brothers to play for Australia since Steve and Mark Waugh six years ago.

The last time the Hussey brothers played alongside each other was three summers ago, when they represented Australia A against the West Indies and Pakistan.

Mike and David are different cricketers: left-hander to right-hander, strokemaker to hitter, non-walker to walker and West Australian to Victorian, following David’s relocation to Melbourne seven years ago.

30.1.8

India is growing, its stock exchange moves up 20K and is fast growing in to new highs. Almost every business in the country and every exports are growing too. In the last few days Indian Govt found out that the nation has another business – kidney transplant- which is growing leaps and bounds too and scaling new heights. This business is fast bringing lots and lots of foreign money too. Eventhough most of the kidney transplants have been done illegally by a delhi-born doctor who had worked on poor slum dwellers, coaxing them for money in exchange for their kidneys, Govt may think that this racket has bring forth a new field of money making into limelight. It wont be a big surprise if in the recent future, Govt of India will a pass a rule making kidney transplant legal – after all, all good govt should support their business people..is’nt. What everybody is asking is Will Indian Govt gives that DELHI doctor – the best business man of the year award ?

Gilchrist hangs up his glows. Another big head out of Australian team. Now only Ponting and Hayden remains fromt that crux of the TEAM WONDERFUL. The onus is now on the young players to follow their captain Ricky Ponting and Hayden to keep the Number One spot in Oneday and Test matches. Everyone in the cricketing world would like to see another team taking the mantle from the mighty Australians. But, the question is can anyone do that ? can any cricketing nation runover the Australian kids who have grown up seeing the mighty seniors bullying all the other nations in the cricket field ?

Advantage Clinton. Clinton wins Florida, keeping her lead safe in the political scenario in the west. Will clinton be able to make her advantage count for SUPER DUPER TUESDAY ? time will answer that question for sure. But, another interesting question that TIME got to answer is who will Mr. Edward gona support. No one in the right mind thinks that Edward will support Clinton after all his questioning and bantering Clinton ways. Maybe Obama will get a final rush of support from Edwards. Obama is getting all the support from the media – both print and visual – thats for sure. But, the crucial thing is, will he get the support from the white Americans ? As always, TIME will tell the answer to that too…. hope whoever wins the race to presidential chair, world will be a peaceful place for the next 4 years after the election…

Kenya is going towards the direction of Darfur. Civil war is going on – more and more killing every day – stage is getting desperate. Another classic case of WORLD doing nothing for a poor nation when it is evident that its intervention could save alot of lifes. Where is UN ? Where is the might of US or EUROPEAN Union… Where is the VOICE OF EMERGING POWERS ? Just another classic example that their is no value for “poor” human life on this planet. Biggest surprise is why is CNN reporting the story ? how come RICH channel becomes so suddently interested in the poor lifes in KENYA ?

CNN reports snow is making Chinese people’s newyear journey a mayhem. No wonder, CNN – an american News channel will report on anything which makes Chinese govt looks bad and ineffective. But, the problem is this time situation is actually worse – worse than CNN is reporting. There is no train , no air transport, no road transport – people are tranded at various airpots, rail stations etc. Beijing senses the worry is genuine and unlike anyother nation – Chinese Prime minister apologize to the nation for this condition. Wonder what any mighty government can do if the mother nature comes up with such atrocities.

28.1.8

what india should do to be a world winner ?

1. they should have played more positive in general. Whenever they defeated australia they did play very aggressive. For ex, in 20-20 match in south africa, yuvraj was over the australian moon.

2. they should have played sehwag in the first two test matches. Absense of sehwag made it easy for the australian new ball bowlers to creep on top of indian batsmen and there by pressurize indian top order.

3. India should have had more fit bowlers, if not players. They should have brought more fast bowlers who can take the mantle if some one from sure-list goes injured just like the case of Zaeer Khan.

4. India must go on to discover more bowlers like Ishant Sharma if they entertain any hope of series victory in future.

5. Yuvraj and other youngies should play more seriously and push the senior to go in to retirement.

6. One or two leg spinners should be alwayz at the door of selection committee by doing well at domestic level consistantly.

7. Every player in future should have a good fieling profile, must be able to run 100 meters under 15 seconds.

8. Should have green wickets at Ranji Trophy matches.

Selectors should HAND PICK rather than go with their zonal biasing. HAND PICKing is the best policy of selection.

25.1.8

Asianet Cable Vision @ alleppey

ACV – Asianet Cable Vision – the biggest cable providers in Alleppey [may be they are the biggest players in Kerala, i am not sure] is currently filled with news channels. They are creating a news fatigue in society. Now that news have high TRPs, post 911, cable providers are filling their portfolios with exclusive news channels apart from those classic entertainment-cum-news channels.

Nothing is wrong with that as long as they provide people with few entertainment channels too.

ACV has a call centre where few people work day-hours providing information about the service. But, people who calls them are rarely happy. Infact, after few attempts, subcribers blame their fate.

If a subcriber need to see his or her favourite channel which is missing in the current portfolio, he or she is never going to get that. Whenever someone calls the call-center, the answer they get is we cant do anything about your “favourite channel” as channel-portfolio is decided by ACV offices in TVM and KOCHI. Well, if that is the case, why are you there sitting in an office in ALPY ? what is the need ? I really HOPE there will be better cable providers in ALPY city limits soon. I am fed up with ACV, it’s really horrible….

they got to change the way they run the channel. They got to listen to the viewers, rather than imposing the viewers with their own wish. Also, they need to put good channels like Discovery, National Geographic, CNN, ESPN, STAR SPORTS, etc in good bandwidth position. Now they pack good bandwidth areas with horrible channels. They also need to add good channels like History Channel, STAR-world, mTV, zee-STUDIO, etc to their portfolio. They also need to deal politely with the callers of their call center……after all, ACV runs on viewers money..