Sachin Tendulkar

I don't think that I'm going to even think about explaining the title this time around. It is self explanatory, thank you very much. In fact, I had planned to simply put some thousand-odd pictures of this living legend over here in this post instead of writing anything at all. That would have served the purpose well enough, I guess!

Is it even possible for a human being - a mere mortal - to even give a fitting-enough introduction to this demigod who prefers to dwell upon this planet rather than somewhere in the skies above, forget about completing the entire description? So, I'm not going to try doing anything of this sort. I'm only going to try and write something which may not do full justice to his stature, but would also not offend any die hard Sachin fan

Well, I've been held by the charm of this magician ever since I first got introduced to this sport. The way he would swing his bat to send the ball racing down towards the boundary (or above the boundary, right into the stands) - he does that with equal panache even now after so many years - would leave me gaping at the TV screen, no matter how many times he did it - and he did it often enough. The quick runs between the wickets, the unconventional sweeps, the hooks, the pulls, everything, got my pulse racing like nothing else. The way he would slaughter the opposition's bowling attack was more than enough to send any team into a very-justified panic attack at the very thought of having him in the middle while it was their turn to field. The huge pileup of runs scored by him leaves little to be said. However, it is not the sheer number of his centuries and other career milestones alone, but the grit and determination which he possesses, which make me hold him in awe. He has not stopped trying to improve himself even though he has achieved a God-like stature in Cricket.

Today he hit his first century of this year's edition of World Cup - and England constitute a good enough bowling threat. It may not have been one of his best, but the awe factor stills lingers about it. I'm sure there would be many more to follow. But, nevertheless, I wish him All The Best!!

Shopping And All

It actually feels very nice to get up fresh in the morning, having cleared the emotional clutter of last week, and to write about something which is so very close to my heart, or, no, something that has now become an inseparable part of my whole existence upon this planet - Shopping!! I'm sure that all the ladies who happen to have come across this piece, would now not be willing to give up on reading the rest of it; and as far as the men are concerned, even they can feel free to read on...

So, I'd told you that I was pretty darned upset last week - for the uninitiated, I'd been a victim of one highly dangerous sadist - and so I'd spent quite a lot of my time simply moping away, you know, staring blankly out of the window, not talking or smiling much, and all that. It was in those moments of self-doubt and emotional outbursts, when Shopping came to my rescue like some old and trusted friend.

It took me even less than a second to decide that all I needed to do was to hold the hands of my Guardian Angel (Her Excellency, Shopping), and let her guide my way out of that feeling of despair which hung in the air all around me. So, I simply followed the cue and found my way to the only shopping mall in the city - not that it is much of a mall, by the by - and let myself loose upon most of the too-willing saleswomen who welcomed me into their showrooms with bright smiles and hellos.

I felt that air of gloom lifting up and being replaced by the very-familiar breeze of cheerfulness as I tried piece after piece of clothing, and examined one accessory after another. I could feel life returning to my body. I could feel the sparkle returning to my eyes. I could smile without having to fake any emotions.

I returned with just a single piece of clothing and matching earrings after nearly 2 hours of effort. But most importantly, I returned with myself! So, all in all, it's not really a bad exercise, this shopping. I hope all you men out there are listening!!

Do You Know What it Feels Like..

Don't get super excited, all you Enrique Iglesias fans out there, because this isn't about the afore-mentioned charismatic singer with smoldering, Greek-God-like good looks; deep, piercing eyes; dense eyelashes; one-in-a-million, enchanting voice.. Um, ahem, you get the general flow of things, right? So it's not about him (never mind if it doesn't appear to be so at this point of time), even though the title happens to have been taken from one of his chart-topping tracks(it's the "Ping-Pong Song" which I'm alluding to).

It's about random people, random events, random thoughts and the accompanying random feelings..

For example, how does it feel when you are out in the (blazing hot)sun, and then suddenly, as if from nowhere, dark clouds appear in the sky, shutting out the sun-rays, and before you know it, huge rain drops begin to splitter-splatter all around you, and a faint smile appears across your lips?

Or, do you remember the relief which you felt when you'd lost your way in some unknown locality, and it was getting dark, and there was hardly a soul around; when you were looking around wide-eyed and beginning to lose hope of being able to reach your destination safely, and then suddenly some kind stranger appeared and helped you out of that place?

And, how about that feeling of gratitude which must have over-whelmed you, when someone would have lent you his stationery in a highly-competitive entrance examination?

Didn't all these happenings and people re-enforce your faith in God and humanity, and gave you the much-needed hope of a better world and a more humane society?

Were these positive thoughts and feelings not stronger than, maybe, that burst of outrage which you feel at the various wrong-doings of those in power, or, the rampant misuse of authority along with the continued exploitation of the vulnerable masses, apart from the several such acts?

I guess, it is the fact that there is more good to be found in this world than bad, that makes us go on. So do remember to treasure all such positive thoughts and feelings and persevere for a better life, a better world.