Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Birthdays...


My birthdays have always been comic tragedies. Slap from dad, rain gods POURING their heart out, schools declared a holiday cuz of bad weather... funny it is. I used to dread birthdays, cuz for me, they always meant something-wrong. I've cut a birthday cake on two occasions...yea, TWO occasions. One for my 10th birthday, when my neighbourhood was filled by Anglo Indians and one, last year. I've had pictures taken on my birthday once. And out of those 4 pictures, I'm there in only one, with profile view and cake not seen(which you can see here!). And, from my 11th standard till last year, all my birthdays were government declared holidays, due to the 'puyal chinnam' in Bay of Bengal (which ended up bringing sunny weather all over!) My birthday is bewitched! But amidst all this comedy, my friends have always tried to make it special. People have waddled through pools of water to my place, just to drop in a birthday wish! They've stayed awake all night patiently bearing the "call waiting" or engaged tones to sing the birthday song in the midnight. My penpals from afar always remembered to send me huge packages bringing all their love from 1000s of miles apart. This loWe will make this year, and every birthday special :)

PS: I just got a pretty pale pink kurta today for the 29th. Supri got a similar one too, and one day you can see us in this uniform!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Sourav Ganguly - why I love him


Sourav Ganguly has ALWAYS been my favorite cricketer. I can never list out reasons, but maybe I like people who have an air of self-confidence and power around themselves(he dislikes the word 'arrogance' to be used on him), WITH the determination and right to deserve it, and Dada is the epitome of this quality.


He made Steve Waugh wait for the toss.
He tossed his shirt in Lords' and Andrew Flintoff was clean-bowled!
He was dropped from the side, he cameback STRONGLY and scored over 1000 runs in 2007!
He created a brand-new aggressive Indian site which was never known to have existed before.
He knew when to talk back, and has always been a TIGER, waiting to pounce!




And now, he's announced his retirement. 2 more tests...and puff! he would be gone from the International arena... will miss him!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*******

Nobody is a born captain. Most of the time, I have gone on instinct.

- When his captaincy was criticized.

I know what I am. People can label me as they like but it upsets me to hear the word arrogant being used against me. I am not arrogant. Not at all.

- On being called arrogant.


I am here to win games not popularity contests.

- On being criticized by the English media while touring England in July 2002.


We obviously don't get support from outside, so we support each other and will continue to do so whatever happens in the rest of the tournament.

- On why the ‘huddle’ was invented during the World Cup.


I believe in my ability to score runs and that is what I look to do. It happens sometimes that people get after you. But you have to take in your stride. It’s a professional sport so one has to go ahead.

- After he scored a ton against Australia at Brisbane and proved all his detractors wrong.


We know, and they know, that we can beat them.

- said a rather cocky Sourav after beating Australia.


We will try and pull the chain and stop the train midway!

- When asked how his team plan to counter Shoaib Akhtar, known as the Rawalpindi Express.


To be honest I do not believe in sitting back and taking things which are not right. If it is right, I am up to it, I listen to you, and try to rectify. But if you are not, I am not a sort of person to sit back and listen.

- Ganguly told PTI in an exclusive interview.

Don't stand under the sun waiting for me. I am not going to say anything.

- Sourav refuses to comment on his exclusion in October 2005.

Then, in the 2003 series (on India's tour to Australia), Steve (Waugh) said that let's be on time for the toss now. I said: 'If you behave, I will'.

- Sourav


It’s on hold till I get big runs. - On whether he is celebrating his return to the team


I haven’t made technical adjustments... The adjustment has all been in the mind.

- Dada on his changed batting technique since his comeback


I would like to be remembered as someone who has taken Indian cricket forward…someone who tried his best every time he went out to play for the country.

- Dada


If I am not in a good mood, I will keep to myself. I am terribly sensitive. Over the years, after I got hammered, I have hardened. I still react explosively especially when something wrong happens to anyone, even to fellow cricketers. I hate people treating others badly. But if I do not like someone, I will quietly keep away.

On how he is as a person


**********


Sourav is a great captain and we should be proud of such a leader. Kapil Dev


Sourav’s greatest strength is his mind. He is hardworking - not only in the nets but also mentally. He bounces back. Sachin Tendulkar


On the offside, first there is God, then Sourav Ganguly. Rahul Dravid

Sourav’s greatest asset is his ability to communicate. He is a naturally very confident person. He encourages his team, is a great motivator and a born captain. He is not the media’s blue eyed boy because he is a very straightforward person, who never minces his words, instead he talks in a no nonsense manner to the press. He shares an extremely healthy rapport with his teammates. His leadership skills are also vouched for by the youngsters in the team. He has phenomenal brand value. He's the new-age Indian, an aggressive go-getter, full of self-belief, determination. Ravi Shashtri

Ever since Sourav became the captain, I do not feel like a youngster in the team any more. Everybody is treated equally and Sourav himself is extremely approachable and a pillar of strength. Sourav stood by me when I was struggling. I owe a great deal to him for standing by me at the most important time. I can't express my gratitude to him in words. Harbhajan Singh

Sourav is really the best captain India has ever had. Sunil Gavaskar

Ganguly is the new Steve Waugh of mind games. Ian Healy

He's the type of bloke you would want to have on your side. When you see an Indian side with Ganguly in the line-up, you know it's game on. You don't have to like or dislike him. You have to respect him. - Steve Waugh




Rainy exams!


I love it when it rains during exams! And especially, when they still conduct the exam despite the rain. One, you don't have to go through the whole agonizing process of studying the whole thing again. Two, the travelling is an adventure. Swimming through the muddiest waters, and writing the exam with the most uncomfortable, wet-at-the-back clothes(cuz the bus seat was wet!) that makes you go yuuuuck, wearing your oldest old slippers and waiting with an umbrella for the bus to come... duh. I ain't no super woman, but I do have my own adventure stories to tell :)