Friday 29 June 2012

CRICKET CRAZIES TO FOOTBALL FRENZY?


What an adrenaline rush can be on a daily basis, ask a sports frenzy! Here in India, sports mainly talks about the religion-like- game of Cricket!

Talk about Cricket and 4 out of every 5 Indians will have an opinion to express, a memory to cherish, a passion reinstated, a sense of belonging right on the field, there. Sachin Tendulkar is the God of this religion: worshipped, idolized and celebrated as “the face” of Indian Sports.


If you ask someone of their earliest cricketing memory- it usually starts from those early childhood days of gully-cricket where breaking glass windows was a routine tradition (even for girls) and then continued to World Cup 1983/ 2003/ 2011, Sunil Gavaskar’s batting, Anil Kumble’s 10 wickets in a match, Dravid’s centuries, Dhoni’s captaincy and Sachin’s records. T20’s, ODI’s, Tests, the first WT20 win are those cricketing moments which will never fail to bring a smile to your face as your heart shall get filled with joy and exhilaration.

You will find an aspiring Sachin, a mini-Sehwag, a patient Rahul all aroung the gullies of this country. The biggest shock it would be coming across someone who hasn’t himself broken glasses or knows someone who has done it too often. Its probably the most common ritual/event that forms the childhood of almost every Indian child.

Everyone in this country either plays cricket, watches it or at least has an opinion about the game and its ambassadors- good or bad! And then its finally the turn of other games (after dedicating a major chunk of attention to cricket) m-Hockey, Badminton, Tennis, Chess get some mentions. And out of them all Football/ Soccer which is the most widely played game across the globe does not get the similar attention back here in India.

For the love of sport and to get a break from the politically disastrous news and mentally torturing entertainment channels a cricket lover may even try watching football (saying out of experience) { though many of them do it out of sheer interest too} but we can never love football the way we love cricket!


Thinking over the same, here are a few reasons:

1.    India does not have an amazing football team like Argentina or Germany.

2.    All the good looking sportsmen are already booked to play- Cricket!

3.    Indian values emphasize, “You must not kick anything/ anyone.” Well, in football all the donkeys are constantly kicking the ball. In fact it’s a foul if you touch the ball with your hands.

4.    Remember laughing aloud in that initial match scene in “Lagaan” where all the Indian Fielders (almost7-8 of them) are runningbehind a single ball? Hold on, football is the game where almost 20 men are doing the same thing throughout the 90minutes or so.

5.    In cricket, if Sachin is at the crease for a long time he’s at least sure to score an individual 50 (hopes of centuries always high) But even with the likes of Ronaldo and Gomez on the field you may end up with a goal less match as they miss the goal despite repeated opportunities.

6.    Cricket has a 20-20 format, a 50-50 format and a 5day format (tests) too! In football its all the same each day! Thankfully, Pepsi started with T20 Football! #ChangeTheGame


7.    As mentioned earlier even with the greatest of players and 90 minutes on the field you may end up watching a goal less match. Thus, heading for the extra time and penalty shoot outs! But with cricket its either runs or wickets! There are non-stop ticking numbers which are separate from the ticking of time.

8.    We as Indians always love to support players (individuals). Honestly, despite of team games we’re often more biased and prejudiced about certain players who glorify the game for us.

So from Sachin-Sehwag, Bradman, Michael Clarke, Ricky POnting, Garfield Sobers, Jhonty Rhodes, Brian Lara, Stuart Broad you ask them to shout out Fabregas, Schweini, Euseboi, Iniesta, Andre Pirlo, Ballotelli would be quite a task!!! (with much needed prior practice)

9.    Be it a 90 minute game or a 20 over match there is a much even and high-voltage drama in Cricket than in Football. And it is a pretty popular fact as to how much we Indians love Football!


CRICKET HAI BAHUT KHAAS!





Photo Courtesy: PEPSI INDIA #ChangeTheGame

Wednesday 27 June 2012

Loving the King of Hearts!



He came, he charmed and he conquered!

And he continues to reign millions of hearts across the globe effortlessly with that mesmerizing smile, those deep dimples, innocent eyes and all that wit and charm that fits the package!

He spreads his arms wide and the love flows endlessly!

“Tujhe dekha to ye jaana sanam; pyaar hota hai deewana sanam

Ab yaha se kaha jaaye hum, tera baaho mein mar jaaye hum”

These few tactics were enough for any girl to crave to be his Chhammak Chhallo!

He made you fall in love, he made you believe in love, he taught you how to love and he himself passed soooo much love to contain all the niceness and spread happiness to the world!

All that he demanded in return was Love and more Love!

He fought for love! “Tu Hai Meri Kiran”

He stood against beliefs! He said, “My Name Is Khan and I am Not a Terrorist”

He gave the mantra of strength and passion as he said, “Chak De! India!!!”

Eventually for everyone he said, “Haso , Jeeyo, Muskurao! Kya Pata Kal Ho Na”

As Raj, Rahul, Aman, Khan, G.One and Don: SHAHRUKH KHAN was the man who came and won it all!

The positivity with which he says his favorite phrase, “Inshallah” yes! God willing it shall happen! The positivity has already enveloped you by then!

Even as I write this, words fall short! There’s soo much to say I don’t know what to miss out! Pages, Books and Series would not be enough to describe my hero!

He’s Special! That’s obvious and he’ll remain to be!

25th June 1992 Khan happened to the Indian Film Industry! Ever since it’s all about his charm!

The actor, the producer, the TV host, the media entrepreneur, the cricket team owner, edu-media investor, the football team investor, the life of live events and award ceremonies,  the public figure, the doting father, the visionary, the charmer, the one who spreads happiness!

Deewana, Anjaam, Baazigar, Darr, DDLJ, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dil To Paagal Hai, Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gam, Main Hoon Na, Veer Zaara, Om Shanti Om, Swades, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Dil Se, Don, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Chak De, India, Swades, Kal Ho Na Ho, My Name Is Khan, Ra.one, Pardes….

Be it dancing on the train or with Bollywood beauties he can mesmerize almost anyone! Absolutely anyone!

He’s not just an entertainer, he’s an intelligent entertainer! There’s a thinking that goes deep and that the words reflect! There’s a total love for the self that can be termed as Connect! There have been controversies, naysayers, critics and gossipers: But a man who stands by his values and beliefs and well chooses the boundaries of his head and heart

Words can never define him!

What can one say about Shah that probably no-one knows? He’s like an open book with too many hidden secrets! Some learn to decode them some learn to mis-interpret! Some love to love him while other’s love to hate him! But yes! YOU SIMPLY CAN’T IGNORE HIM!

Shah is a global icon, with fans far and wide! He says, “I’m no role model; cuz I don’t do the kind of good things that role models do!” But for us he is a role model, cuz he does the best thing- Makes us Smile!  SRK is not just an actor he is a Phenomenon! He will creep into your mind and capture your heart!

“mein aankhe band karta hun to tumhe dekhta hun
aankhe kholta hun to tumhe dekhna chahta hun
tum paas nahi hoti to tumhe charo taraf mehsoos karta hun
har pal har ghadi har waqt merre naina mere naina ko doondate hain
ise pyar kaho paagalpan ya mere dil ki dhadkan
mere liye ek hi baat hai
pyar to bahut log karte hain
lekin mere jaisa pyar koi nahi kar sakta
kyonki kisi ke paas tum jo nahi ho
mein tumhe bhool nahi sakta naina
mein tumhe bhoolna hi nahi chahta
tum meri ho, mein tumhe zindagi bhar pyar karunga
marte dam tak pyar karunga aur uske baad bhi”

SHAHRUKH WE LOVE YOU!

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THOSE SMILES AND FILLING OUR LIVES WITH JOY!

MORE POWER TO YOU!

“INSHALLAH”