Our friendly Neighbourhood!

I'm talking of India and the friendly neighbourhood it finds itself in right now. It's extremely worrying and the sudden interest the US has had trying to turn Indian into an ally says it all!

Between the Taliban neighbour and the LTTE clashes India seems to be between the devil and the deep sea on quite the literal basis. One can't miss out on the Bangladeshi and Tibetian protests over some piece of land which belonged to them in 500 BC! None of the internal situations in each neighbouring country stops their folk from immigrating lock stock and barrel legal or illegally into India!

I always felt that the Indian govt. and the total Indian attitude to such situations has been kind of laid back. I've never seen an aggressive stance on any issue. It's either the dead bat approach or the cat which closed its eyes approach. This is a sure shot method to promote insurgency.

The situation is outright scary in the current scene of elections where the govt has turned selfish to gather votes rather than maintain some stability and security. You cant blame the govt officials as they might easily say its upto the army to maintain the security. But even the armed forces require some assertive leadership and their leadership looks to the govt for directions so its a confirmed mess.

One might wonder how all this affects NRIs. But I feel it affects them more as India is the anchor for them- the greatest source of stability and security. Any and every news about India is keenly followed and greatly magnified and thoroughly analysed. Patriotism is at its peak in all desi groups abroad and at its best. Overall the situation India faces, with its terrifying neighbours is more frightening than all these stories about recession and job losses!

When will India come out of this - Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you - peaceful approach?

This is SP expressing her deep set fears...

The IPL Mania - the current scenario

Everyone's got something to say about the IPL. It seems to have overtaken the election discussions. Although May 16th still looms like a predicted earthquake most Indians are fed up discussing the future of Democratic India.

Here are some interesting points I've collected about IPL from across the globe:

• Delhi Daredevils are the hot fav for the title this year - they really have the best opening pair of the world. Definite place in the finals.
• Deccan Chargers are suprised with their own success - with a poor support from the world Hyderabadis and Andhrites you need not be surprised with their lack of spirit. I've decided to ask all my friends who declare themselves as Pakka Hyderabadis to wake up and post some support on the DC blogs. I've started a mini campaign for the DCs after listening to Gilchrist's awestruck tone - 'We didnt have this score after an entire series last year'! They might just make it to the semis if they keep it up!
• Punjab XI are doing well but retain their headstrong attiude - We were surprised to have lost - attitude of 2008. With this kind of attitude it won't be a big surprise if they lose this year too and again in the Semis. They don't have to mind too much because Ms.Zinta is always there to hug and console each one of them.
• Chennai Super Kings keep mustering enormous support from all over the world. They act as if they are the BEST. I say they have the BEST man DHONI that's all. But their dress code sucks Yellow for heaven's sake is not too pleasing to the eyes. Can they win? They have a good chance if Dhoni takes up his role seriously. Semi-finals is a must - Mind it!
• Rajasthan Royals poor guys again this year they have a poor batting line up and a poor team. Shane is their outstanding performer and the best captain. With their new trump card(Khan) they might just manage till the semi-finals. Don't know what's Shilpa upto - nothing except her banana smiles and lots of giggling with her younger sister!
• Mumbai Indians have some good players and great support but as a team don't seem to be making it great. Sachin is in top form and may help push them till the Semis.
• Banglore Royal Challengers -quite a fancy name and nothing much apart from that. I don't see any great stuff happening there and with Dravid on 'paternity leave' some of the runs might reduce too! Sure elimination!
• Kolkota Knight Riders or Khan Knight Riders(renamed) seems to be in dire straits. Inspite of the dynamic SRK supporting it on all non-cricketing terms the team seems to be faring miserably. Saurav seems to be the only consistent performer and most of the team spirt seems to be missing after he was removed from the captaincy. He doesn't mind it but excuse us - the rest of the world including his team seems to really feel it! They are on the royal path to elimination.

This is SP reporting from Brussels - opinions collected from friends all over the world and summarised.

Kamran Kiri-ket Khan!

There are a lot of youngsters in this IPL who might not know the 'C' of the word 'Cricket' but surely know whats a long hop, leg by, first slip, middle order, yorker, dot, etc.!

IPL as it designed to do HAS actually promoted tons of talent in India. Many youngsters whom we would never have discovered are being discovered and some have gone to SA this year without ever having played a first class cricket match or spoken a single sentence in English!

For example consider this dynamite Kamran Khan an 18 year old - a discovery of the season! Introduced as the trump card by Shane Warne he is a little dynamite who has a major language barrier (but no performance barriers) with the captain. As Yousuf Pathan said - 'There are a lot of expectating from Khhaamraann and Sane has got him into the Zaipur team'.

Once they get more experience all these fine cricketers surely get some fine coaches to fine tune their language skills. For now they are dealing magnificently in mixed teams with international players on an international platform with just one common love and language - the language of cricket!

Let's respect them for this spirit and encourage them to Play their best games ever!

The Invincible Modi!

Been hearing tons about him but, after listening to his inaugural address of the IPL -2 yesterday I should admit that I was quite impressed.

Lalit Kumar Modi, (born November 29, 1963) is the Chairman and Commissioner of Indian Premier League, Chairman of Champions League, President and Managing director Modi Enterprises, former President of the Rajasthan Cricket Association, Vice President of BCCI, Vice President of Punjab Cricket Association, Executive Director of Godfrey Philips India and Director of Various Modi Group Companies. - Wiki

With that impressive list to back him up obviously he would be the aggressive, sharp, brash, ruthless and reviled leader as he is often fondly described as. However he DID manage to MOVE the IPL lock stock and barrel from India to the SA in under a month thanks to THIS attitude. The Move overall is very impressive and commendable - a mammoth achievement.

Maybe a loss to many advertisers, brand managers and event managers in India and ofcourse a pinch on the purse for the IPL owners but everything is not lost YET! Some profits may arise after all - after the successful launch yesterday.

Some of the salient features that bowled me over:

- The overall MOVE fighting the bureaucratic government policies and going against the norms of committees and fundas of reporting.

- Direct and immediate decision -actions must have taken place for the massive MOVE

- Proper security Measures in place

- Impressing the SA govt. into QUICK action - imagine impressing a foreign govt. to ACT fast

- Venue Management - proper grounds, entry tickets and security management

- Retaining the good will of the international players - convincing them to re-join their teams - although the money factor would have played a key role, people like Kevin Pieterson needed some goading to join in this year - (goading to go home?)

- Organising the inaugural function - the entire show and I'm sure the closing ceremoney is planned too.

- Back up plans to fill in the on the rainy cricket days! Wow today we saw some Three Tons of Fun sisters singing to the galley...

- The BOLD decision to ban the Pakistan players from playing in the IPL - almost a death statement as it turned out but nobody concerned seems to be batting even an eyelid!

The easiest thing for Modi would have been to block flight tickets and ferry the cricketers from all over the world to SA! Well thanks to him we have loads of cricket for the next month to watch and enjoy!

Three cheers to IPL and Kudos to Modi!

The 'SPIDER MAN' -IA Boys!!!

It could very well become a global phenomenon - this Spider Man - ia! Atleast all the kids(the male species) I've met seem to be crazy about this Super Hero.

Peter Parker and his mysterious webs and his ability to fight off the evil-est of the villains have captivated minds. He's a definite competition to the other super heroes Batman and Superman. You don't see kids,boys or men as crazy about the other two now-adays. Maybe it's got something to do with the web creating techniques or impressing the women techniques which are different with this hero. Or maybe its the Macho Spidey's Power thrills and his powerful dialogues thrown in to impress - "With great power comes great Responsibilities"! Whatever it is, he has managed to thrill the men-folk - young and old alike. (3yrs to 90yrs?)

If you are young then you can still afford to sport a spiderman tee or squirt webs all over your friends with the web shooter. If you are old you can still play the Spiderman games online in secret or own the Spiderman game series, DVDs and the gear. Most boys would also have the spiderman outfit.

After a lot of talk about the boys - it really makes me wonder why the girls are not really obsessed with this Super hero. It's just a matter of the genetic make up maybe - girls loves Barbies and boys love Cars and Spiderman! That's a dialog I recently heard from a three year old! What logic and some excellent philosophy...

If you'd like to realise the impact of the phenomenon simply look around and observe what the kids around you admire the most! It's The Friendly Neighbourhood Spiderman all the way...

The Belgian Partyholics!!!

The word conjures up some youngsters with long hair, sporting funky earrings and haridos, high on dope and into heavy metal or jazz, rock, etc...

Well you've got it totally wrong in this case. I've been busy these last two weeks and unable to write because I've become a Partyholic (actually a part of the Belgian Partyholics Society- BPS) - not as described above but in various other ways.

- Planning - WHY - Organising - WHAT
- Shopping (now thats more like it) - ITALL
- Delegating
- Implementing
- Clicking Snaps - uploading and distributing the links - lemme tell u its no mean task!
- Cooking (almost forgot that!!!) - designing menus to suit the themes - delegating and finalising --- ooff!
- Total MASTI
- Dog Tired - with all the above

With the Easter vacation on and all the shops at Mid-Season Sales and ALL the Kids at home most MOMS have been running close to MAD. So a group of us designed a total back to back schedule for these two weeks to avoid ending up in asylums at the end of the holidays.

We've had to plan parties to include the bountiful energies of the kids and the dying energies of the moms. It's been a challenge and also extremely interesting for me - the observer(all times) and conductor(sometimes). This season we've tried to get inventive changing venues - indoors and outdoors, making themes, inventing games and most important get everyone involved (that can be daunting!). It's been a hell of a ride till date and we still have 5 days and 4 events left till schools reopen! Sleep well seems to be the only TIP for now!

All these are parties are mostly in the DAY - and the evening parties continue as usual - Ofcourse!!! Maybe I should start a Party Consulting website soon...

Until then you go ahead and listen to this song from Vengaboys - We Like to Party

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oldctNEsJLk


(Please feel free to contact me for any suggestions or advice for your parties ! Note - it may be Free only until I start those web services...)
(This is dedicated to all the masti gang in BPS!!! Kudos to the future...)

The Touch Wood Talismans!

The range of the Evil Eye extends beyond all boundaries and instills fear across cultures. "The Evil eye is a belief that the envy elicited by the good luck of fortunate people may result in their misfortune." - Wikipedia

This week I was invited to a beauty parlor opening ceremony where I observed new methods to ward of the evil eye. The owners were Syrians settled in Germany and finally moved to Belgium. I dont know which of these cultures influenced them to break wine bottles by hitting them against each other as a symbolic gesture to ward of the Evil eye! I've heard of clinking glasses but this was something new to me and obviously lots of fun especially when we all got very dirty with the wine and champagne flowing all over the place and spilling onto us. Later, all the close friends were also asked to break some more bottles. I understood that the more noise we made there were better chances to drive away the evil - whoever or whatever that was! This was followed by lots of singing and dancing and shouting and general masti.

Reminded me a lot about the Indian house warming ceremonies where we break tons of coconuts, invite friends and pray to Ganesha and do Vasthu Shanthi puja followed by Satyanaryana Vratam! Man that's a lot of work and sure shot means of getting dog tired! But it's considered a MUST to drive away the evil.

Some interesting and other common methods to ward off an evil eye are - Apotropaic Talismans - Greece, Nazar Talismans - Turkey, amulets, Blue concentric cirlces on the Hamsa Hand - Middle East, Cornicello in Italy, The fish of the Jews, The Arthi by the Indians, The Eye of Horus in Egypt, 'Mashallah' by the Muslims, and many more jewelry and trinkets, etc. The easiest way is to say Touch wood after you say something which might invite the evil eye!

These have been used over centuries and are followed religiously for all events and situations where its felt necessary to ward off an evil eye. It might sound illogical in this Modern scientific world and some of us may laugh it off by calling them traditional superstitions. However, the fact remains that 95% of the world still follows THESE very same rituals and traditions. (source Wiki).

Knock on wood my attempts to research and write continue...

Elections in India - Death by Boredom for the NRIs!!!

Chatting with friends across the globe I observed that their energy levels seemed to be in Recession! For the past six months due to the global economic changes most NRIs have been really down and depressed. This month it has reached its peak due to the elections in India.

How's that? Mostly there are 3 common sources of entertainment in the week for NRIs:

1. Read the newspaper - Indian news, regional news and anything remotely related to the city they come from to feel connected.

2. Watch cricket and more cricket and even more cricket if its possible - to feel the Indian spirit.

3. Watch every damn single movie released or not released in India to while away an evening. If its in the mother tongue then its better or else atleast in Hindi.

Now translate that into the current situation:

1. Every single newspaper or article is about the depressing Politics in the Elections. No clear cut mandate about the results. No single party majority. Every single politician's gory history is dragged through the mud. Overall sounds like a hopeless form of government led by crooks and criminals.

- Offers no sense of support to a person seeking a connection to his homeland.

2. Cricket - with the IPL moving out of India (due to the elections!) we've lost out on the biggest chunk of entertainment series. We cannot see the massive crowds, turnouts cheering every single match and cricketer and the frenzy that only an Indian crowd can achieve is unmistakably lost. About the interesting cheerleaders of last year's matches - well they probably will be shipped to South Africa - but thanks we've seen enough of them in our baseball and football matches out here! Sniff sniff...Now watching the matches will be a passing event - to be watched but not to live through it.

3. Movies the biggest ever hit - a combination of the final exams times and the elections period has seen a slump in the releases. I suppose the recession has affected it too. Overall there's nothing entertaining to watch nothing to look forward too. The movies online are pathetic and there are absolutely nothing we can do about it.

With every other NRI either packing up and going back to India or unemployed the levels of uncertainty have risen. With the three main sources of entertainmet drying up I can only call the situation a dead-end! Weekdays are long and boring and the psychiatrists may have a field day with the Stressed NRIs. Weekends can be even more pathetic coz no one is spending much to be on the safe side in 2009.

Overall its Death by Boredom out here for most NRIs.

What keeps us alive, what allows us to endure?I think it is the hope of loving or being loved. - Meister Eckhart. (Loving here symbolises stability and some connection to the homeland which inspires this stability! )

Dheeraj Rakho! Himmat Rakho!