Enthusiasm

This is my first blog. The novelty of it all still has to wear off. So I'm back, within hours of my first post, boring all the people not reading this blog (pretty mcuh everyone in the world). In fact, I'm here to offer my views on the news I've read today morning, sitting at my favourite place (most mens' favourite place to read the morning paper).

First up, it's the Left parties up to their usual games. Taking over a poor village in West Bengal. Threatening to topple the government for following through on an international treaty; after it's been agreed upon. Were they asleep while the N-deal was in progress, one wonders? No wonder parents in India are extremely superstitious about their children being (Left)-handed!

Mumbai's recent clean-up drive isn't getting much support from corporators and the vice-mayor. Not surprising. Politicians are, in many cases, the dirtiest things around; they're mostly trash. Clean-up is a terrifying word for them, like Dettol is to germs. But some of them do make a valid point: there simply aren't enough dustbins around. I make it a point to "pack my trash" and throw it only in a dustbin but not all people have the same dedication or even, luxury (clinging on to Mumbai's crowded local trains requires the use of both hands. No chance of holding on to a sweet wrapper at the same time. A friend of mine broke an arm trying). 

Sachin out in the nineties again. What are the odds! Not much more to be said on that. India won the series (ho-hum), a first home victory over Pakistan in 24 years. I'm waiting for the Test series. Test cricket is, in my opinion, the onlyreal cricket.

Manoj Kumar reckons he was humiliated in the Shahrukh Khan-starrer Om Shanti Om. I haven't seen the movie so I really can't comment. But his description of how he was portrayed doesn't sound all that humiliating. He said, "Are the Mumbai police so stupid that they can't recognise Manoj Kumar and lathicharge him in the '70s when he was a star? It doesn't stop there. Inside the theatre too, the scene continues in the same vein. At another place where Shah Rukh is shown giving a mock thank-you speech in a drunken state, he says he is Manoj Kumar...,". The complete story here . Dunno about you but this sounds kind of humiliating for the Mumbai police. But if all the rapist cops don't humiliate them, I guess nothing can. One more thing about the whole affair struck me. Manoj Kumar spoke of his "well-wishers". These people, had Mr. Kumar not been a "peace-loving man" who doesn't like "goondaism" would have ensured that "the film's banners and posters
would have been torn". If you were a peace-loving man, Mr. Kumar, you wouldn't have said those words. 
Reminds me of Theodore Roosevelt's policy, based on an African saying, 
"Speak softly but carry a big stick"

Cheers