Friday, December 19, 2014

Co-ed Hostels, What are?

"A guy and a girl in one room"

While this sounds pretty fancy and bold, if you may. We need to sit back and talk about the whole setup in terms of our Indian Society. The Indian Society as I see it is roughly segregated in two sections. A section which is progressing and adapting to the changes around us. People who are broad minded and don’t shun away these bold ideas. The other section is left behind and is still stuck in the olden times. They are far from adopting to these changes around us and in a way poison any change they see around them. They will shrug at the mere thought of even talking about these things, let alone try to implement it.

"One bad apple spoils the whole bunch”

This saying is too old and has been overused. But it still perfectly fits the situation here. We all know how easily can people get influenced these days, try to sell something to them by saying the right things and they will easily be swayed. This applies to the human nature as well. We are all aware of the mishaps that are happening around the country. Straight from the National Capital Region to the remote villages. I don’t think I need to go into the details here. We have all read enough about them.

A possibility? 


I'll take my college, MIT, Manipal, for a case study here. We have most of the girls hostel blocks on one side and most of the boys hostels on one side. The Guards blow their whistles at the boys as soon as the clock strikes 2230. These whistles are a sign that it is time to leave the space and go back to their own marked space. This geographical division is important for something as huge as the MIT Campus to function. It gives the authorities a few lesser things to worry about. They don’t have to worry about whatever happens inside the hostels. They just make sure that the right people are in the right sectors after the right time and that is it.

Let’s assume that we had co-ed hostels on our campus. Straight off, we might see a dip in the amount of PDA on the streets. Jokes apart, I think the authorities will keep doing rounds and they will in the end result in creating geographical barriers inside the hostel as well. Because that is the only way the authorities can keep themselves satisfied. There are too many things to doubt here. A real life example will help in explaining why these boundaries will eventually come into play. IIM Calcutta is one of the premier institutes in India to have co-ed hostels. They have something called the Old Block. But they also have different wings for the girls. Essentially in our country that is the only way to make this thing work. You might have a co-ed hostel for the sake of it. Inside it, the story will be same. 

In most Indian schools, the girls are made to sit on separate benches than the boys. They are told to maintain a safe distance at all times. While the modern thinkers might argue against this. I think that this is hard truth that is in effect in India. We have a different high school structures from the West and it is inevitable that we end up with having a different policy up through the ranks in the universities as well. In a country where the modern thinkers are forced to conduct gatherings like the “Kiss of Love” to prove it to people that boys and girl can co-exist safely and intimately. We are far away from hostels which allow random and unrelated boys and girl to live under the same roof, let alone in the same room. The country is not ready for it. The sad truth is that we might never be ready for it. 

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Being Sachin, What is?

This is more of a sentimental post. I wrote this for manipalthetalk.net - This was my very first article. Published on the 24th of December, 2012. It was written after Sachin's retirement from One Day cricket. I am re-posting this, memories sake.

Being Sachin 


 Twenty-three years, countless memories  


When you think of Sachin Tendulkar, your mind is filled with so many instances of pure cricketing genius, it is actually very hard to pick one out. For me those three famous deliveries in the World Cup of 2003 stand out. Because it perfectly defines Tendulkar’s brilliance. A perfect balance of controlled aggression and flawless technique. First came a six, then a four, then divine magic – pure cricketing genius. You can never grow old of watching that. India facing Pakistan at cricket’s biggest stage, Akhtar versus Sachin being the battle everyone was looking out for, some even labeling it as the most crucial. India chasing a stiff 275. The stage was perfectly set. Shoaib shared the new ball with Akram, but these three strokes, the sheer intensity with which they were delivered, shook the Pakistani camp. Shoaib was taken out of the attack after that one eventful over. You don’t expect such a fate to one of the most terrifying bowlers of the modern age. The menace called Shoaib Akhtar had been neutralized in spectacular style. But, that is what Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar does to you. He intimidates you. And then he delivers, all of which seems effortless at times, cricketing comes naturally to him - as if he was born to do this. Day in day out, he has set up so many victories for India. And all that with impeccable elegance.  
Today he retires from the shorter version of the game, which he has dominated in an unprecedented manner. Amassing over 18000 runs, keeping the ‘fame’ monster at bay. For having a career spanning over 20 years, you need to have special qualities. And he seemed to have them all: Mental Strength, Dedication, Ability to bat in different gears, Adaptability, Planning, Execution, Discipline – you name them, he has it. 
2670, these are the number of official ODIs that chanced during the time Sachin played his first and the last. He played started playing with some of the players from the 1983 winning squad and he went on to be a part of the 2011 winning squad. It has been quite a journey. We can talking about the statistics – the numbers, but everyone is aware of that. And there have been heaps of them – Runs, Hundres and Records. But, Sachin is much more than that, inspiring a whole generation of kids to go out and follow their dream – eventually making them realize that if you have the will, there is a way. He touched so many lives, with his politeness and his kind words. Think of all the young cricketers he ever spoke to, and told them that ‘Yes, you can do it’ - we cannot even start to think how much it would have meant to them – how much it would have lifted them. See him in the light of the burden of expectation he carries – the expectations of a mad about cricket nation – and numbers just seem to be the least of his achievements – Such is his aura. Because the lives you touch eventually goes on to define what a person you have been. And he has touched millions of them. All around, without doubt. 


Some Moments:  


18 Dec 1989: His ODI debut. He becomes the 74th player to be ever capped for India (119 players have been capped ever since) – Tendulkar didn't had a dream start to his one-day career against Pakistan at Gujaranwala was out for a duck off Waqar Younis. Humble.
November, 1993: With South Africa needing six runs to win off the last over of their Hero Cup semi-final against India, bowls a sensational over, giving them just three, and India victory. Talking about it, he said that there was no plan for him to bowl – but he was feeling confident and asked for the ball. Golden Arm.  
March, 1994: Opens in an ODI for the first time - against New Zealand. Goes on to make 82 off 49 balls. The story behind it is that the then regular opener Navjot Singh Sidhu woke up with a stiff neck. Sachin requested Captain Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajit Wadekar (coach) to "just give me one opportunity and I am very confident of playing some big shots. And if I fail, I'll never ever come to you again". Confidence.  
September, 1994: His 79th match, his first ODI hundred – against his favourite opponents Australia. Long time coming, notched up 16 fifties in the meantime. Beginning.  
1996 World Cup: With 523 runs at 87.16, is the highest scorer in the World Cup held in the Indian sub-continent. Scores two centuries and three half-centuries. Big Stage.  
April, 1998: Scores two blazing, back-to-back hundreds against Australia at Sharjah to help India reach the final and then win it. It was Warne versus Tendulkar. And Tendulkar got the better of him. Destroyed.  
1999 World Cup: Tendulkar's father, Ramesh Tendulkar, a reputed Marathi novelist died in the middle of the tournament. Tendulkar flew back to India to attend the final rituals of his father, missing the match against Zimbabwe. However, he returned with a bang scoring a century (unbeaten 140 off 101 balls) in his very next match against Kenya in Bristol. He dedicated this century to his father. Fighter.  
March, 2001: Becomes the first player to score 10,000 runs in one-day cricket in the course of his 139 against Australia in Indore. Milestone.  
2003 World Cup: Scores 673 runs at 61.18 in the World Cup, taking India to within a win of the world crown. His 98 against Pakistan is one of the best knocks played by an Indian at the World Cups. He is named the Man of the Series. Paramount.  
November, 2007: The last time he came out to bat with the other half of the most succesful pair in ODI cricket, Sourav Ganguly. With Ganguly, Tendulkar added 8227 partnership runs at 47.55, with 26 century stands - the runs scored and the hundred stands are the highest. 50% more than Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya's 5462. Tendulkar also put together 4000-plus runs with Virender Sehwag (4387 runs at 39.16) and Rahul Dravid (4117 runs at 44.26). Teamwork.  
March 2008: Going into the first final of the CB Series, Tendulkar has not accomplished many things: an ODI century in Australia, a century in 37 innings, a chase-winning century since 2001. He marks them all off his list with a brilliant 117 off 120 balls and leading India to the 240-run target just about solo. He scores 91 in the second final. And India lift the CB Series. Achieved. 
November, 2009: Crosses 17,000 ODI runs during his 175 off 141 balls in a run-chase of 351 against Australia in Hyderabad. It is a chanceless innings that ends 19 runs short of the target, but India choke after his wicket and lose. One of the best.  
February, 2010: A stunning display in Gwalior makes Tendulkar the first player to score 200 in a single innings in a one-day international. It comes off just 147 deliveries, with 118 runs coming off boundaries. The ultimate ODI innings. Age no bar.  
2011 World Cup: After five unsuccessful attempts, Tendulkar finally gets his hands on the World Cup trophy as India win the tournament in style. He contributes handsomely scoring 482 runs at an average of 53.55 – including two centuries. During the course the tournament, he also becomes the first batsman to score 2000 runs and six centuries in World Cup matches. The Indian players lifted him during a victory march around the ground, how fitting – after having carried the expectation of a whole nation for over 20 years, he gets an appropriate gesture. Champion.  
March, 2012: Finally, 34 innings and more than a year after scoring his 99th international hundred, Tendulkar reaches the landmark that might never be equaled, scoring 114 in an Asia Cup match against Bangladesh in Mirpur. Century of centuries, if anyone could have done it, it was him. 100 reasons.  
18 March 2012: His last ODI innings. 52 off 48 balls in a match in which Kohli demolished the Pakistani attack with a splendid 183. His career started with Pakistan and ends with Pakistan. He got the better of Pakistan in the end. The king must have the final word anyway. Alas. 
  

Some Numbers: 


18426: The most runs scored by any batsman in one-day cricket. 15,310 of these as an opener. 11,157 of these in a winning cause. Almost 35% more than the next-best (Ricky Ponting's 13,704) 
9234: 2016x4 + 195x6 – The runs scored in boundaries. 50.11% of the total runs. An exact 50, make it a happy co-incidence. The most balanced batsman of our times. 
463: The most number of one-day internationals played by any player.  
154: Number of ODI wickets, which puts him in 11th place among Indian bowlers
96: The most number of half-centuries by any batsman in the ODIs.  
62: Most player-of-the-match awards. 
49: The maximum number of centuries scored by any batsman in the ODIs. 63% better than the second-highest (Ponting with 30). 34 of these in winning cause. Nine of these coming against the best team to play during his time, Australia. He scored more than 3000 runs against Australia making him the highest run getter against them.


1: One man. A champion run getter, immensely respected by opponents, loved by team mates, feared by bowlers, idolized by a country and above all a humble human. To stand out among the crowd, you need to have that extra special something and Sachin seemed to be blessed with these qualities. The ability to be able to touch a million lives and inspire a whole of generation while being the best at what you do is something very rare, we are very lucky to have seen him play in person, the generation to come will only get to hear the stories. A whole generation is witness of his rise and rise in the game he loved. A whole generation see their hero hanging up his boots in a format, over 23 years, he made his own. You will be missed. Farewell!!

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

The United Road, What is?

This is our last embrace ... This is our last goodbye

If rumours are to be believed Louis van Gaal is set to be the next United manager. He will be the first manager outside the United Kingdom to manage the club, yes the FIRST. This season has been dismal one and where I agree Moyes was not showing progress. Maybe he could have had the first half of next season and the summer for squad building. Lets just agree Moyes was sacked for the good of the club.

I fear that van Gaal will come in and change a lot of things about the way we play, about the way we go on about things, about the 'United Way' - we have always played football a certain way, not just during the Fergie era but before that during the 60s and the 70s after the Munich disaster. "All those lads you see going to the factory in Trafford Park, they come to watch you on Saturday," Busby told Charlton. "They have boring jobs, so you have to give them something they will enjoy."




Today, we saw a lot of things that are resonant with this so called 'United Way' - a star is born in 18 year old James Wilson who scored a brace on his first team debut, a 19 year old Belgian Adnan Januzaj dictated proceedings on a emotional night at Old Trafford and our caretaker manager came down for a stroll assisted Persie and almost scored himself.

"It is my philosophy and it is Manchester United's philosophy" Giggs said in his first presser. What will happen to this philosophy, what will happen to the certain way we play football, what will happened to the 'United Way'

The times are changing and I don't know where are we gonna go from
here. The future is uncertain and it is scaring me.

The United Road no more?

#MUFC