LSD of Indian Premier League

Lalit, Sunanda and Dhokha...

Income Tax officials reached BCCI Headquarters in Mumbai... Raided IPL offices... Investigated Lalit modi... and garnered information about the auction... This was the rough script for what happened on 15th April... Rather it was a good plot for Shahrukh’s flick... More than Chennai losing to Delhi or Deccan making the cut for semifinals almost everybody talked about two players and a mysterious girl on that day... Mr. Lalit Modi, Mr. Shashi Tharur and Ms. Sunanda Pushkar... These were the people who caught the eyeballs and almost 90 per cent of the TRP’s on that prime day... But that was not all... That was just a trailor... Because virtually Lalit Modi was ousted out of IPL and his BCCI members ditched him... This was the climax of Modi’s Indian Paisa League... But why did it all happen? Who had ignited the fire in the woods? That is the question to be answered...

But more than that now we see, then the picture is... it is an Endgame for Lalit Modi... Shashi Tharur had to resign from his Union Ministers post... and Sunanda Pushkar? Where is she? God knows.... The Mysterious Girl is out of IPL Kochi... So who won and who lost? Hhhmmmmmmm... This makes us feel like it was a fixed game... To ditch Modi and Tharur and to settle down the old scores... Quiet impressive... Agreed that Lalit Modi has done some great mistakes and he had to pay for it.... He is out of IPL, but is he the only culprit? Shashi Tharur had a great affection towards Twitter more than Sunanda Pushkar, so even he paid the price for it.... But there is certainly a Dhokha happened here... and off course with Lalit Modi... Shashi Tharur and Sunanda Pushkar were just supporting actors... but the lead is someone else... The Ultimate Boss of Indian Cricket, Union Agriculture Minister and NCP Honcho Mr. Sharad Pawar has played a perfect card and now it seems that it’s time for Pawar’s Power Play... If we have a closer look, Modi made his biggest mistake when he betrayed Pawar’s army... Sharad Pawar might not hold any position in the IPL or in BCCI currently, but he has men running Indian Cricket... Shashank Manohar is his close aid, as Lalit Modi was... Firstly Mr. Modi did try to become the Ultimate Boss where this title is only for Sharad pawar... Secondly Mr. Modi did try to outnumber Shashank Manohar and Co. When he run IPL all alone... and lastly Mr. Modi commited a virtual Suicide when he took punga with Mumbai Cricket Association whose Boss is Mr. Sharad Pawar... So see... how many mistakes and Modi is asking what did I do?

Sunanda Pushkar was just like Urvashi and Menaka to distract the attention of the world... But someone had to settle the scores by kicking lalit Modi out of IPL... And they have succeeded in it... Modi forgot it was not Indian premier League... It was Indian Pawar League... Same happened with Shashi Tharur... He and his love for Twitter landed him in such a great mess that Dr. Singh had to ask for his resignation... (Which I am 100% sure that he wanted to take long back... But could not take it because Tharur was close to Mrs. Gandhi...) So as this story ends... we clearly see who won and who lost... Undoubtedly the winners are Mr. Sharad pawar and Dr. Manmohan Singh and the great losers are Mr. Shashi Tharur, Ms. Sunanda Pushkar and last but not the least Mr. Lalit Modi... So it is evident that it was not Love, Sex aur Dhokha... But it was Lalit, Sunanda aur Dhokh in Indian Paisa League....

Twisted Tale of IPL...

End of the Day's Play?

Is it the Endgame for Mr. Lalit Modi? The person who answers this question gets an IPL franchise as a reward... It’s a big deal which is circling around... And why not! A fare deal it is... We all had seen Lalit Modi, IPL Chairman, IPL’s ultimate Boss... His rise from Zero to Hero... But it’s time for us to see him become complete ground Zero from a Hero... As the circle of life goes on, the IPL has come a full circle as well...

IPL, Indian Premier League is the milking cow of Indian Cricket... But how it functions is the million dollar question... Is Lalit Modi the only face of Indian Premier League? Is it an autonomous body? Or simply because IPL gives loads of Money, BCCI keeps mum over each and every issue concerning it? The answer could be YES... This is the first impression of this multimillion dollar league... Undoubtedly Mr. Modi is the sole face of IPL, but now IPL is no more Indian Premier League, it has become the Indian Problem League... Allegations, accusations and controversies.... These are the only components of this comparatively new but profoundly famous baby of Indian Cricket... Season one was the Super duper hit flick but Season two and three were super flop shows... and why not... It had its several reasons...

To professionalize any sport is a good thought which Modi did with cricket... He took Indian cricket especially T 20 Cricket to a different level altogether... but to govern it with transparency and keeping all interests away is very important... When we see this entire saga, we also must not forget that though we say that Board of Cricket Control in India which runs this huge phenomenon in the country is a private body, but still it is run by our ‘loyal and intelligent’ politicians... Then how can we not expect controversies in it? But sometimes I feel very sorry for IPL... It was the only tournament which was designed to run so professionally... But it also has struck the bottom it seems...

Indian Sports and its culture are very confusing sometimes... It is evident, that no sport or the tournament in the country can be run by a single man or professional... Be it Mr. Lalit Modi or be it Mr. Suresh Kalmadi... We have seen failures in the past... But this is not the only mistake IPL has done... BCCI and the governing council have given sovereignty to Lalit Modi, so that he became Invincible and the Undisputed King of India’s most popular tournament... Second mistake... Awesome money which was put in IPL... It almost resembled like Paise ki behti Ganga... And that was the biggest blunder... Modi and his team did manage it well... but violated many rules and regulations... They did not pay tax on time... did not declare the assets, the team’s contracts and other things which IT had asked for... And last but not the least... but the most importantly... Modi just did not change the format and the look of cricket but he also changed the idea and definition of the game... It seems that Modi completely forgot that IPL is primarily a cricket tournament... But now cricket has taken a backseat and high powered Entertainment has the full control over the tournament... The equations have changed... It’s no longer 90 % cricket and 10 % entertainment... But now it is 90 % entertainment and only 10 % cricket... The matches are most watched but the IPL Bandwagon, the star owners, post match parties and the invited guests for the same attract lot more attention than the original game... And now Lalit Modi has paid for it....

So it’s almost clear that the Game is Over for Mr. Modi & Co... Need to pack bags and move on... But wait... We might see Modi ousted out by his team members... But what about the Ultimate Boss... He has ditched his close aid but will he restore him with some perks? It’s time to wait and watch for whether Mr. Pawar clicks the right button or he Dials M for Murder... This is the True Game guys... It’s no longer Indian Premiere League, now it is Indian Power League...

When will ‘WE’ grow up?

INDIA is known in the world as the World’s Largest Democracy... We enjoy the status of the Republic Nation... Our civilization is supposedly one of the best cultured in the world... But it’s all past and our rich History... Where are ‘WE’ heading towards? We, have a fantastic democratic set up in the country for better governance... But now it seems that it has only for the sake of name – A Democratic set up...

Flying mikes, paper planes, torn papers, wrecked chairs... We have seen them all in the old store or in the garage... But fortunately or unfortunately, don’t know, we do get to see it all in our legislative assemblies... Be it at the Centre or in the State assemblies... This all is an integral part of our parliamentary sessions... We have got such fantastic leaders, (and I don’t blame them completely, because ‘WE’ are the ones who have elected them) who rather than governing, tend to entertain us in every possible manner... Recently we saw hungama in Bihar assembly; as an MLA was taking oath in Hindi, in Maharashtra assembly, there was a big tamasha... and most recently the entire nation and surely the world witnessed the most shameful act of parliamentarians in the intellectual house of the country... Few MP’s tore papers of Women’s Reservation Bill and threw everywhere and the chair too was no exception... It seems our MP’s forgot that the chair in Rajya Sabha doesn’t only belong to the Chairperson but also belongs to the Vice president of the Republic of India...

This brings us to the Question of the Day... When will ‘WE’ grow up? Are our politicians and leaders going to behave in a decent and democratic manner? Or it’s no more Democracy; it has turned into Gunda gardi? Don’t we feel very shameful when we see such incidents? Is it because for this we have elected these brats? Or is it for the betterment of the common people, who needs to be taken care off? But at times it’s very saddening that very few people are troubled by these questions... We say that we live in a democratic set up and we function in the same manner... So can anybody explain to us that if we don’t feel that something is right, why do we choose the other way of Mr. Adolf Hitler? And why not of Mr. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi? Ok... If you feel Gandhism is too soft for this then why not to Bal Gangadhar Tilak? Be aggressive but with your words, your thoughts and not with your actions... Is it the way by which Democracy functions? Certainly not...

Today our political parties do not work on any idealism; they simply work on the game of sentiments... Confused??? Let me explain... In the earlier times we did have some good ideas or the base on which our principles were led down... But unfortunately in today’s modern progressive times our political parties try to cash on the popular sentiments... And there they win our hearts... And as we are so foolish we fall for them and everybody knows what happens...
But are we that fool that we will let this happen again and again? Are we that fool that we will let these stupid people play with our so called sentiments and cash on their own benefits? Or are we going to or rather trying to change this? Now it is high time... It is the time when we need to showcase the true strength of the modern INDIA... We are not dumb people to be told what to do... We are not that stupid to not to understand the situations and the scenario... So wake up... It’s your time to bring about a change... A change that will change the face of the nation.... We do not want people who are corrupt, illiterate and criminals to lead us to a better life... because simply they will never be able to do so... as they fight in the assemblies, they fight on roads; they fight on public platforms, and fight and fight and fight... The blame game continues... But they will never change...

So dear Politicians in order to rule first learn to behave and then try to govern... So guys as the saying goes – ‘Be the Change you want to see...’

Can we go beyond Politics?

Impossible is Nothing...

Recently I had been Vasai... A simple place in Thane district... And I must tell you, it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited... Vasai is a place which is rich in its culture and heritage...It is the place near Aamachi ‘multi cultured’ Mumbai, where we could see the perfect blend of Hindu and Christian culture... The people are of course Christian by the religion but are Hindu by Heart and nature... That is not all, because they are so generous and beautiful; it feels like home away from home... But as we say every story is not a fairy-tale... it too had the other side... It too had some complications... And it came just few days before... What happened in Vasai over a demand to exclude 53 villages from Corporation, we all know... But the saddest part was that the agitation took a violent turn... and the peace we were talking was disrupted...

There are problems everywhere and there are answers to every question... So why not to solve any problem logically... Why every problem be it a social one or any question, should take a political turn? Why in our country each and everything ends at the doorstep of the politics? And this brings to the question that Can we go beyond Politics? Vasai problem is not a political issue... It is indeed a social and welfare issue of people of that part... But at the end of it we see Vivek Pandit, a social worker turned sitting independent MLA and Hitendra Thakur, former MLA of that region literally fighting over this issue... We see police force beating up the residents and villagers and still no action is being taken over it... Why there is no consensus on any issue regarding the betterment of people? Why we need to leave everything up to these grimy politicians? Or can they not take a decision just once which will not have their own benefit and do something for the common man? Can we not stop playing political games and think about us as the citizens? Is it that hard? If we closely look to it then No... We can change the given scenario... Everybody in the business is not bad but as the saying goes, one rotten mango can spoil everything... that is the case... This does not mean that our leaders do not do anything for the people who have elected them... But the amount of work is surely less...

Now a day’s, conditions like these are creating a feel of going to the basics... In the time of Freedom movement, India has witnessed Styagraha, many agitations, a demand for Swaraj... And if we see today’s era, we are indeed going back to the basics... The revolt which occurred in Vasai was not less than a demand for Swaraj... The way by which it was done was by agitations by local people... and this all was nothing but Satyagraha... So if we are going back to the basics don’t we need to change the scenario? Should we not evaluate the circumstances by which this is happening? And are we still not free? Or are we again going to fight for the freedom in a Democratic and Republic India? Actually we should not... According to me these are the phases of development... But in order to do so we must understand the need and speed of an individual, a community or a society...
This is one small example of changing society and the interference of politics in it... This was all an ideological problem... But what will you call to the Amitabh Bachchan and Chief Minister Ashok Chavan wrangle? We normally see many situations like this... But tell me frankly is it ethical to disrupt a program of a social benefit (of inauguration of a Sae link) over an obtuse political issue? But why can’t our gifted politicians understand this? When can it all stop and we see pure governance, is a million dollar question to answer... Are you the lucky one to answer it???

Reservation or Representation?

Fight for the Right...

It was said to be the Historic day when the Women’s Reservation bill was put to vote in the Intellectual House of the country, Rajya Sabha... and with no surprises it was passed with a thumping majority... Everybody must have felt so good about it, because the first step was conquered and now the bill moves on to Loksabha... But was it a smooth road to ride? The answer is ‘No’... There was action, drama, comedy, suspense and thriller as well... You name it and you would have it. Exactly as we get in our beloved Bollywood movies...

But that’s a past now... The truth is the bill is passed in the Upper house and moves on for an approval from the other... But here as well it will not be an easy road for the bill... This makes me think that Do Women really need Reservation or do they need Representation? Are our Men willing to let Women the equal rights which we always talk about? Or as always it’s said the oppression of Women continues... I think neither of this is done... There were few people who opposed to this bill on some grounds... There might be their own political interest to it... But these issues make us think... Don’t they?

We say India is a progressive country. Everybody is equal here. Rather it is so ironical to pass Women’s RESERVATION Bill when India, the World’s Largest Democracy is governed by its first WOMAN President; the largest party in the country is run by a WOMAN, for the first time the Chairperson of Parliamentary house is WOMAN and even the Opposition Leader in the same house (Loksabha) is also a WOMAN... If we closely see and follow then we will realize, In India Women don’t need Reservation, they need Representation. Give them a chance and they will turn the tables.

Reservation and Representation are two closely related words. Some say that for Representation in this male dominated area of Politics, Women need Reservation to be part of it. The others say if we give Reservation what is the guarantee that the women enjoying the reservation will represent the mass and not just the class? What is the guarantee that the Bahu-Beti system will not prevail in this situation? It’s a complicated math... But it’s simple as well. We are making this historic decision because we want women representation in the system... But will we get this if we give reservation at this higher stage? The answer again is NO... We must start it from the base. From the root level... India is a country of millions of Villages... In order to give proper representation to women; we must empower those women who can make a difference to their own living first and then to the country. We need reservations in the Panchayats first. It will give a chance to those million women who are capable enough to create a difference and bring in the change. And if we succeed in doing so then this pattern or the system will reflect from the root to the top. So, if we are successful enough in this mechanism, don’t worry everything will be all right. No more dramas no more maths...

For those who want Reservation for Women – the problem is solved... Women will get a chance in the policy making and a chance to govern and make decisions... And for those who say that we need proper representation – all the sections will be covered and mostly all the Women will be empowered... So that means in order to empower them, atleast give them a chance... Just one which they need...

But are we really willing to do so? Is the million dollar question... HOPE you all are listening Madam High Command...

Thakare VS Thakare

The Big Fight...

Shivaji Park is considered to be the home of the Politics in the state... It’s named after the great Maratha Warrior Shivaji... What do we want more...? But no... That’s not all... BMC, run by Shiv Sena wanted to build a monument of Shivaji Maharaj within a park... Residents opposed... the issue was taken by MNS... and the battle started once again... This is just an example... There are loads of things on which these two come face to face and we see a great Panipat... this makes me write to both Raj and Uddhav that guys it’s time to bring out the change...

9th March 2008... It was the day when the politics of Maharashtra got a different turn... It was the time of emergence of a new political dynasty... On this very day, Raj Thakare formed Maharashtra Navanirman Sena aka MNS... and this was the day when the tables turned... Because someone had actually challenged the Tiger to come out of his den and fight the real battle... But alas... the tiger was too tired... but his cub was not...

And from that day till today we are the fortunate witnesses of the Clash between the Titans... (I call these two Titans not because they have done any great things but just because as of now they have the power to lead... that’s it...) But this clash is just a mere spark... Raj Thakare formed MNS to change Maharashtra but Maharashtra is certainly not changing... But unfortunately his ideologies are... He had started this battle on one ground of Navanirman i.e. to bring out something new, but it seems like he is losing it on the other... Doing one thing repeatedly, ‘Bashing up people’... The same is the case with Shiv Sena... Balasaheb Thakare founded it for the betterment of the Marathi Manoos... But now it feels that the so called Marathi Manoos has vanquished by the fight between these two... It’s no longer an ideology VS ideology... It’s no longer Shiv Sena VS MNS... But it’s now only Raj VS Uddhav... The battle of Supremacy...
Why this? No one can answer... But who’s the leader in the race, we can surely guess... Raj and Uddhav are two different individuals having some great qualities but unfortunately they both are fighting a battle which never has an end... But guys, we have to give these two credits because they have made sure that all the time their scoreboard is tickling... But if we see closely, Raj has a trivial advantage over Uddhav... Raj with his flamboyance and speech has mass popularity... Where in Uddhav with his great administrative skills have managed to keep the party intact... As we see these two are different but something in common... The Thakare blood... to bash people and rule... MNS bashes the common public so Sena targets the Icons like Sachin Tendulkar, SRK and Ambanies... Raj is very straightforward... He is very outspoken... and that is what Uddhav tries to be... On the other hand, Uddhav is a great Manager... he builds one to one relation with his audience... It is his path, which Raj tries to copy.... But that does not change the way these two are... That does not change our living... These two are working but what have we gained from it?

Raj and Uddhav, both are winner in their own categories... But not for the common man... People are fed up of this... They have had enough of it... So it’s time for real Navanirman of the Marathi Mannos... We want change... We want better living... We want basic amenities to live... We want good education... We want jobs to secure our future... What are these two political parties doing for this? Giving us an option of putting a Shiv Wada stall or a Zunaka Bhakar Kendra... or asking us to be taxi drivers and railway TC’s? Are these the only jobs Marathi youth can do? Can’t you organise courses which help us to think big? Isn’t there an option of Self Employment? Can’t you help us with this? The Government is completely hopeless... But what is our opposition doing then? Is it the case that nobody has answers for these? Then think guys... If it is so then you lose the right to fight for us... You lose the right to represent us...

Raj, has mass popularity he with his vision can bring in the change in YOUTH... If decided he can change the face of the Urban Maharashtra... That would be the true Navanirman for us... On the other hand Uddhav with his great managerial and administrative skills can change the face of rural Maharashtra... It is not that you can’t do it... But it only that how can we do it... Are we ready to keep aside the differences and work for the betterment of the state? Or we will only fight for our own mileage? I know i am being very optimistic... This is Politics... But just remember its Democracy as well...