Priyanka Gandhi : Rise on the horizon or another addition to dynasty ?

Finally after years of wait in the hope of teenager Priyanka taking plunge and learn nuances of politics at an early age, Congress ultimately got a readymade senior statesman (woman) as RaGa announced his sister’s entry in Politics couple of days back.

Congressmen find so much of charisma in Priyanka that the leaders who were way above their 40/50s when Priyanka was a teenager have immediately correlated with her as their leader and are eagerly awaiting for her guidance in their political battle and survival.

One can look at this complete scenario as dynasty which in a way is absolutely true, however we also need to look it from the perspective of capability and competency of others who happen to call themselves national leaders of age old party.

With due to respect to Gandhi family, enough opportunities were available in the party for leaders to stamp themselves as an authority. Those who had the guts and self belief either put their feet forward or drifted away with likes of Sharad Pawar, PA Sangma and to an extent of Arjun Singh and firebrand Mamta but failed to make any national impact.

PV Narsinmharao as Congress-Led Prime Minister had taken some control of the age old party with Gandhi family in oblivion but as has happened always in India, good governance was beaten in ballot to handover central government to HD Devegowda. This hibernation was enough for old loyalists to bring back Gandhis to forefront  making dynasty charge come true.

In last 25 years, post 1996 elections, the leadership scenario for all National parties has kept changing. Communists have swapped hands from Jyoti Basus to Yechuris to Karats but no dynasty. Backroom Karyakarta like Modi reached top of the hierarchy from an unknown status to Prime Minister of country. 

However, most of the regional parties are primarily formed for the benefit of self, families and loyalists rather than any ideology and at the max look for interests of their own state and will never change their modus operandi.  

The big question then arise why does dynasty prevail in Congress? 

1) The primary root cause lies in the fact that Gandhis had reached smallest of households of India since the Nehru era and continued till Indira Gandhi. The media was never strong like today or was biased enough to ensure no other side was projected for years.

2) The leaders with party had no say in running the day to day to affair or had vested interests not to challenge the leadership.

3) The assumption was quite clear, instead of fighting for top role, let the leadership be with Gandhis and get plum portfolios as reward for keeping quiet and loyalties.

4) Those who had the guts, were either shown the door, cut in size or made to run central blessed state  government. This ensured no leader was elevated or projected enough at national level and message was clear to remain in size.

5) To build a party of own or raise a voice, one needs an  ideology and selfless contribution towards a cause. Both these qualities meant, establishing yourself at risk of losing out power and leaders preferred to play second fiddle instead of rising for self or the people.

With Gandhi as brand, comes the aura and most importantly failure is never challenged which for sure has hampered the party as leaders prefer to say yes mam or yes sir.

Time and again it has been proved Gandhis do not need Congress but the party and its leaders need Gandhis for their own survival and unabated continuance of power.

India needs a healthy democracy but for that leaders need to rise above vested interests, think for the country and work towards building the nation. 

A new leader is always welcome and time will prove Priyanka’s real caliber and potential to decide whether it’s a new rise on the horizon or just an addition of dynasty.

Till then we will remain in illusion of “जनता सब जानती है|” (“Janta Sab Janti Hai”).

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Disclaimer : The blog is personal opinion and does not intend to comment on internal working of any political party.

Image Courtesy : PTI 2019

Sun Storm in Napier

Game of cricket came full circle today when the first ODI between India and New Zealand at Napier was stopped for sometime on account of unplayable heavy sunlight.

Cricket has seen umpteen interruptions due to rains, bad weather and we have also witnessed stoppage of match due to desert storm in Sharjah during Sachin era but today was the first time, match had to stop due to sunlight.

Though the root cause of the problem was something to do with position of pitch with respect to direction of Sun, It would be really interesting to see how it can impact the game in the long run if such conditions reoccur.

The way the game of cricket is played, it has always been a batsman paradise but when it comes to weather conditions, even today’s situation favored bowlers. One can safely say that the weather decides who will dominate game of cricket whether batsman or a bowler

On a lighter note one wonders, how a situation like today’s can change the way game will be played in future :

1) Before going for toss, captain will look into weather conditions and decide to bowl if it’s going to be a hot sunny day ahead.

2) The innings would be declared to bring in the opposition right at the threshold of Sun getting on top of the field and glaring at batsman.

3) Day ODIs would change the way its played currently and captain will opt for first batting irrespective of swing conditions fearing sun would come on top during the second innings.

4) The teams for years have taken decisions to bat, bowl or accelerate based on weather conditions and it seems they now will have to plan something for the sunlight as well.

5) The ICC will have to look into Duckworth-Lewis rule and make some amendments, considering the weather conditions and will have to include runs scored during pick of heat by the team batting first.

Nonetheless, it was one of unique experience for the players as well as spectators and hope this is not repeated and the respective boards ensure such standoffs are not repeated in the future.

Ultimately Kohli’s boys had the last laugh and India are 1-0 ahead in the bilateral series.

Disclaimer : The blog is personal expression on the weirdest of situations happened in game of cricket and does not intend to comment on the rules of the game.

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- Jayawant

Khul ja Sim Sim or Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas !!

Once upon a time there lived a poor man named Alibaba who worked hard in life and remained a simpleton all through his life. One fine day he found a cave which opened only after talismanic words “Khul Jaa Simsim”. Alibaba kept visiting the cave and every time he came out, he looked more powerful and happy.

A bunch of incompetent thieves who were observing Alibaba, thought the cave had huge treasure inside and wanted to grab the magical cave and become rich, famous and most powerful.

After years, the story of Alibaba repeated today in Kolkata. A group of 23 leaders from across states came together with the intention of capturing incredible place called India.

The magical treasure of India is like that Alibaba cave. The leaders who came together are aware of the magical words “Khul Jaa Simsim” which they feel can take them through voters mind and give them the treasure, secured dynasty and grab the power for a long time to come.

However, with times the cave which was looted for years has changed its internal structure and it now consists of all the glory, fame, power, poverty, corruption, bureaucracy, infighting and struggles for basic necessities of life.

With change in times, the cave can also be opened by two magical words either “Khul Jaa Simsim” or “Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas”. 

The choice remains with us as the first one assures only treasure, but not for everyone whereas the second one if taken in true spirit has the power to change the way the country looks. It will still be with all problems but there always will be a shimmer of hope for better days to come.

It’s upto us whether we want to go by “Khul Jaa Simsim” or “Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas” , both create magic with different beneficiaries.

Disclaimer: The blog has no pun intended and does  not aim to justify or crucify any of the politician or political parties. Choice remains with every individual what he/she deems fit for him/herself.

- Jayawant

Rahul Dravid: The Wall Of India

As ‘The Great Wall of India’ turns 46, its time to revisit one of the most glittering careers in Indian Cricket. Rahul Dravid, a leader, a selfless contributor and a legend who personified the way game of cricket is played, taught and inspired for the younger generations to come.

Dravid as a teenager debutant at Lord’s made it a point to make sure that the world of cricket takes a notice of him. He slowly, steadily and without any fanfare built a career which served Indian cricket for a long time. As core of the “Fabulous Five” of Indian cricket, Dravid held together many a innings and roles and was one of the most important pillars of the team who immensely contributed to the laying of foundation of world beaters called ‘Team India’.

As a batsman, he was a most consistent rock, as a slip fielder, he had the safest pair of hands and as a captain, he was one of those focused ones who lead India to memorable victories in Caribbean in 2006 and England in 2007.

Dravid was all about timing, whether ensuring a century at Lord’s in his final appearance after missing a debut ton or calling it quits in ODIs after England tour or realising the chinks in batting during Australia tour to bid adieu to test cricket in 2012.

However, the real Dravid has evolved post his retirement. He chose a profession which not many would have ventured into. In his role as a winning coach of Under-19 World Cup 2018, he not only enthused the young bunch of cricketers but also inculcated a professional approach in them to clinically register one of the most one sided Under-19 World Cup tournaments.

Dravid has been a true idol and a real coach for any youngster who wants to learn how to manage own career and passion. As a coach one has to understand that each child is a special talent and has an independent capability and let the youngsters know their true potential and not get carried away with peers having flamboyance, zeal and that extra attitude of going over the board. Dravid has handled it seamlessly very well.

As a coach of Under-19 team, Dravid is phenomenal in a very short tenure. The players coached by him have made it to senior team and players like Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant have proved their mettle in international cricket at a very early stage of their careers. The way Dravid keeps his greatness aside while dealing with youngsters who were not even born when he started playing shows his simplicity, professionalism and integrity towards building a future of Indian Cricket.

A true legend who performed at all levels, contributed immensely to the game and always remained elusive when it came to grabbing the headlines, Rahul Dravid, it’s time for all of us as cricketing fans to say a big ‘Thank You!’ for what you did for Indian Cricket.

P.S. The expressions in the blog reflect the author's appreciation of the legend Dravid and is only a personal viewpoint.

Celebrating a genius on his 60th birthday : Kapil Dev

One of the youngest ever captain to lift the cricket World Cup for India, Kapildev Nikhanj turns another major milestone as he turns 60 today (6th January 1959).

Kapil is a true legend and one of the most inspiring and towering cricketing personalities of all time. The jat from Haryana chose a completely different path when rest of the country was producing champion spinners. It was only Haryana Hurricane’s exceptional guts and talent which probably paved the way for youngsters opting for fast bowling in India.

Kapil was handed over the reins of captaincy in 1983 World Cup at a tender age of 24 when India created history to overpower the might of West Indies at Lords in an epic final almost 36 years ago.

The World Cup journey had started with a shocker defeat of West Indies by Indians which was treated as a fluke and then Zimbabwe almost ruled India out of the World Cup but thanks to Kapil's heroic 175 not out, India managed to stay in the tournament and then there was no looking back till ruling at Lord’s in the finals.

An inspiring captain always brings out the best from his team and that’s what happened in the World Cup and instead of big players performing, it was the turn of Roger Binny, Madanlal, Krishnamachari Shrikanth, Balwinder Sandhu and the super hero Mohinder Amarnath and never to forget one of the most amazing ground catches which Kapil took of Sir Vivian Richards made India achieve one of the most improbable victory which changed the way the world looked at Indian Cricket and a new super power was born which also meant start of a decline of the Windies which they are yet to recover.

Kapil was in an era when the world could not decide who was a better allrounder in Ian Botham, Richard Hadlee, Imran Khan and Kapil. However what made Kapil stand apart from them was the playing conditions which were offered to Kapil. Bowling with his heart out on spin friendly but dead fast bowling pitches and then come out to bat to take the game away from opponents with aggressive batting needs a true genius and that was Kapil.

Kapil in his hey days was a fearsome allrounder and who can forget few of his memorable performances like 9/83 against West Indies at Ahmedabad, 5/43 against Australia in 1983 World

Cup, hitting 4 consecutive sixes to Eddie Hemmings against England at Lords and finally overtaking Sir Richard Hadlee as the World’s leading wicket taker.

The man with a golden heart was Indian coach and during his tenure one of the biggest controversies in match fixing erupted when a fellow cricketer named Kapil in the scandal. The episode made Kapil cry on a National Media and the scar probably took him away from the game for a considerable period of time.

Indian cricket has come a long way since Kapil retired, but the contribution he made to the Indian dressing room, gave belief and confidence to take against any team and be fearless in any adverse situation will have imprints on the way Cricket is played in India for a long time to come.

Let us celebrate the genius of Kapil on this important day and may god bless him for years to come.

P.S. The blog intends to celebrate birthday of one of the most inspiring Indian cricketer of all times and does not get into statistics and analysis of the cricketer. 

- Jayawant 

RIP Achrekar Sir , Man who created a GOD: Take a bow for one last time

A gem is a most difficult stone to identify, cut, polish and the pain it goes through in the entire process makes it a jewel which everyone loves to wear and be proud of. The lapidary or diamantaire who is the real maker of the jewel takes a backseat and moves on to identify the next gem.

The coach is like that jewel maker who slogs selflessly for bringing the best out of the stone to make it a real possession.

With passing away of Ramakant Achrekar (sir), one of the most legendary coaches India has ever seen, the cricket has lost its one of the biggest contributors of the game.

For many, he was the coach of the Master, Kambli, Agarkar, Amre and so many such legends.But as sir embarks upon his last journey, it’s all about him and remebering the humble gentleman.

Coaching is one of the most difficult professions one can undertake. Coaches may not posses the most athletic built or skills but what they need to have is most calculative mind, shrewd cricketing (game) acumen and neutral enough to be fair to all their students.

Coaching is not just teaching the nuances of the game, it’s not only about improving skills, neither it is about bringing out students as product of rigorous training but it is about bringing the best out of the students, it’s about bringing out self confidence and belief, It’s about imbibing values and integrity in the kids so when they make it big they are selfless and put their team and country above themselves.

Coaching does not necessarily mean calling students at wee hours to the ground, neither it requires to be a task master but what coaches must provide is the trust to the students and their parents. No parents, would want their most privileged pride to be handed over to an unknown entity. Coach is a teacher who many times plays the role of a father or a mother, is there in all ups and downs and is the first witness of failures or glory of his students. Above all, he has to understand true potential of his student, be blunt enough to groom and rude enough to tell parents (and kids) about real calibre of the student.

Achrekar (sir) was true amalgamation of all the qualities a coach is made up of. He not only slogged endlessly for his students (profession had no monetary returns in 80s when he became a coach) but brought out players who changed the way the game is played today. He built a generation of players who made the country proud with their deeds and the one who creates a GOD is no less a mortal.

Achrekar(sir) is no more with us but his preaching, honesty, integrity and selfless love for the game would remain with us for years to come.

RIP sir !

We are going to miss your smile and cricketing genius in you with that peculiar cap.You were the real Dronacharya for us :)

P.S. The blog is a personal condolence and bowing to one of the most respected coaches India has ever seen or produced and does not comment about the Achrekar sir’s students, their careers or playing days.

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- Jayawant