Kolpak Ruling.......A Threat to CSA !!!!!

Kevin Pietersen, Nic Pothas, Kruger van Wyk, Jonathan Trott, Jacques Rudolph, Ryan Mclaren, Craig Kieswetter....and some more........and who knows, could be Vaughn van Jaarsveld in the coming months..........hmmn.......got an idea of what I am talking about.....it is about the bitter and ever increasing exodus of cricketing talent from South Africa to countries such as England and Australia. It is not just restricted to Kevin Pietersen anymore, but is spreading and Cricket South Africa needs to put effective remedial measures in place before this exodus debilitates South African cricket.

It is all about some of these players taking advantage of the Kolpak ruling. The Kolpak ruling was the EU ruling in favour of Maros Kolpak, a Slovak handball player. In short, it stated that (when applied to cricket) cricketers from those nations which had an associate trading relationship with the EU could be hired by English county cricket clubs and play for them freely as professionals., subject to the Kolpak clause. A Kolpak player or Kolpak, is a term used in the United Kingdom for players in domestic cricket and rugby league from overseas, subject to the Kolpak clause. (The ruling, when applied to professional sports, meant that, if any sporting club chose a player who lived in the European Union,then no law could prevent that from happening. For example, a French baseball team could not be prevented from hiring a German player since both nations were members of the EU. However, since Kolpak was not from the EU, but from a nation that had an associate trading relationship,the decision meant that any player from any nation which had such a relationship with the EU could also freely play as a professional- Wikipedia).Now, the emotional reaction to all of this could be one of extreme hate and ultra-nationalism. Indeed, Kevin Pietersen hasn't been forgiven still, by some South Africans for his 'betrayal' of his birth country and he is someone not appreciated by very many South Africans, to put it mildly. The relevant question is, why are so many talented white cricketers leaving South Africa. One could 'sympathise' with Tony Greig, Allan Lamb, Robin Smith, Kepler Wessels and some others for opting to leave South Africa because South Africa in the 60's and 70's was a pariah nation. South Africa was criticised at many international conferences on political, economic and social issues for its apartheid policy (South Africa was probably the only 'officially' racist nation in the world then). South Africa was expelled from international cricket in the 1970 mainly because of the 'Basil D'Oliveira' affair. That left many supremely talented South African cricketers with no country to play for. Some of them were so passionate about cricket that they left their motherland to settle down in England with the aim of getting English citizenship, thereby qualifying to represent England. But many cricketing gems in the form of Barry Richards, Mike Procter, Eddie Barlow, Peter and Graeme Pollock chose to stay on in the Republic and not play for any country, displaying 'true' patriotism, though they must have felt 'gutted' to not be able to display their talents on the international arena. But the Republic was readmitted into the cricketing fold in 92 and everything seemed to be going well as far South African cricket was concerned. But since the beginning of 2000, when the quota policy(of including four non-white players in every match) was introduced and had to be strictly adhered to, South Africa has been witnessing white cricketers leaving the nation in droves. This is an absolutely worrying trend and one which doesn't look like stopping.

There are various reasons being attributed to this 'betrayal' (forgive my bias...........I am a loyal RSA supporter.......although I know I ought to be more balanced........will try)- better financial future in England, Australia and NZL; escaping from the 'high' crime rate in SA; inability to see themselves being part of a nation ruled by blacks; 'reverse racism' or 'positive discrimination' preventing them from getting an opportunity to represent SA. Let us try to dissect the points mentioned above in some more detail.Yes, it is true that professionals in the English county cricket circuit are paid more than those in South African domestic cricket. At times, life and securing your financial future does come above pride in playing for your country. England provides them with that luxury although I can't digest this reason completely because most white cricketers in South Africa are reasonably affluent....ahh........but even in South African domestic cricket, the quota system exists which again acts as an obstacle to the progress of the careers of these whites. As far as coming from reasonably affluent families is concerned, if you can earn more money by playing in some other country, then why not.........in this globalised world of ours today, nationality and identity does not figure as prominently in the minds of people and cricketers as it used to in the past. There are some cricketers, who say that, the spiralling crime rate in the Republic leaves them with no choice other than packing their bags and leaving, since the targets of crime in many cases are affluent whites. This is again, a predicament , which I tend to sympathise with, as much as I would like not to though. Andrew Hall(a white cricketer.......a bowling all-rounder) has been, what you could call, a 'famous victim' of mugging in the past. He survived since fate was on his side. And oh yes........the third reason, although despicable, is unfortunately, still, a bitter reality. 13 years after liberation, still, 'old-fashioned' racists and 'apartheid boeties' exist in South Africa, who fervently believe that South Africa was and will be be better off under white rule and blacks should be treated as 'third-class' citizens.....a pity....... if you visit some of the posh 'white localities' in SA, you will still get to see this disgusting mentality prevailing, not in the open, but behind closed doors. Some cricketers, I will take the liberty of including them in this category (Kevin Pietersen is one such example....while calling him a 'hardcore racist' would be unfair and incorrect....but somehow his dislike of the 'new' South Africa is evident.... I feel.......although he is a fabulous cricketer.....a star, undoubtedly). And I state that if racists do decide to leave South Africa, then the nation is better off without these 'dirt bags'. The Republic can do without them.

And now,the last and the most pertinent reason: the quota policy or as CSA would call it, the 'transformation' policy which desires to make cricket in SA a truly inclusive and popular sport and not just a game espoused by elite whites as was the case, generally speaking, in the apartheid and pre-1948 era. While this policy is very admirable and noble, a 'pragmatic' implementation of it is needed at the ground level, not a 'forcible' implementation, as has been the case, on certain occasions, in the past, which has only resulted in lowering SA's standard and competitiveness in international matches. It is this reason, that many whites say, is mainly responsible for leading them out of SA. They feel their abilities are being wasted and not utilised properly in South Africa and they will be able to serve other cricketing nations better.Also, these cricketers ( who leave SA for this reason) are very passionate about playing the game at the highest level and representing their country. They are not content just playing domestic cricket.......and hence they leave......and England, Australia are countries which they adjust in relatively easily because of cultural similarities they encounter in these nations. Look, my sympathies do lie with them, as much as I would like to castigate them. But then, again, it is not as if CSA is following in the footsteps of ZCU by discarding white players recklessly. If that was the case, Graeme Smith would not have been picked in the side, let alone be appointed captain. A B de Villiers, the 'blue-eyed boy' of South African cricket, for his amazing sporting skills, would not have been in the picture. Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Paul Harris, Johan Botha.........would never have got any opportunity to represent their country..........but they have.......all these players have played for SA in the recent past and will be an integral part of the team in the near and distant future, for sure. All is not that gloomy and it is not as if, the situation is as dire, as it is in Zimbabwe, with regard to cricket. White South Africans need to have deep patriotic feelings in them and be proud of being a part of the 'new', 'non-racial', 'multi-coloured', 'unbiased' SA, for only that can motivate them to stay on. Smith has always said that he took pride in being a citizen of 'liberated' SA and it is that kind of sentiment that needs to prevail. But I know, the whites who decide to leave are human beings after all and human beings have their own 'moral frailties' and these white cricketers can't be stopped from leaving SA.......that would a ludicrous thing to do.

What needs to be done, however, is proper and practical implementation of the transformation policy, not picking non-whites just for the sake of picking to please political masters, for that would be detrimental to the health of CSA. Cricket infrastructure in the previously disadvantaged areas needs to be developed and improved relentlessly without a sense of complacency ever setting in. This process will take time, for cricket is not the No.1 sport in SA. Football is , followed by Rugby. No one should set unattainable and unreasonable deadlines for implementation. Patience is the need of the hour and if displayed continuously over the next, say, 10 years, fruitful results will be there for everyone to see and be proud of. For nothing can be a more genuinely pleasing and justice-delivering sight than to see a 'truly deserving' and 'meritorious' black majority South African cricket team stepping out onto the cricket field. But as is said, 'Rome was not built in a day'. All the genuine stakeholders in CSA will have to be patient and persevere. There will be many roadblocks on the way. But keep the final goal in mind without ever wavering..........

These are troubling times for CSA, undeniably. Astute, pragmatic and no-nonsense tolerating leadership is what will take South Africa into the territory of success ( I mean success in 'big' tournaments like the WC, etc) , both on and off the field, in terms of real transformation and popularising the game. My best wishes are always there with CSA as has been the case over the past 11 years and will be till the last breath of my life..........!!!!!!

APJ Abdul Kalam- A Fine President !!

I can say with a certain amount of confidence that APJ Abdul Kalam is liked by a majority of the 'knowledgeable' civilian population of India. His fairness, honesty, intelligence, achievements, integrity and refusal to dance to the tunes of political parties has endeared him to much of India. Although the Presidential post is a largely ceremonial one in India, it still holds some significance since the world's largest democracy wouldn't want to have a meek and spineless President. That would be an insult to India. However, in spite of him being quite popular, it is the politicians, sadly, who will get to call the shots while electing the next President. Most of them do not have any love for President Kalam because they obviously have difficulty dealing with a straightforward, forthright and frank President who has also recently suggested and rightly so, a stable two-party political system in India, to save India from, if I may take the liberty of saying so, the mess of 'insane' and 'paralysing' coalition politics.

Civic Sense Lacking

Apropos the survey carried out on behalf of the travel Web site Expedia, as much as I hate to admit this, it is not really a surprise that Indian tourists have, according to the respondents, been found to be loud, untidy and poorly behaved. As far as untidy and poor civic behaviour is concerned, it is a bitter fact that most Indians completely lack civic etiquette. Littering and spitting on the streets is a very common sight in most parts of India which can be nauseating. Tidiness and civic discipline are nonexistent in most Indians. I don't feel happy saying all this, but this needs to be admitted nonetheless. But I think such surveys will help in creating awareness about civic etiquette and civilised public behaviour which will eventually benefit us, and help Indians in creating a disciplined, clean and etiquette filled image of themselves. I sincerely hope that.

Need For Religious Reform ( Reflections Of A Non-Practicing Hindu)

The 'purification' ritual that was carried out by priests of the Lord Krishna temple at Guruvayur because of Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Mr. Vyalar Ravi's wife being a Christian is symptomatic of the deep malaise plaguing some Hindu temples in certain parts of India.Every religion needs to move forward with time, be flexible, adapt to ground realities and get rid of suffocating religious dogmas.Traditions and rituals are something to be respected, but they also need to evolve sensibly with changing times.Hinduism needs to do the same and adopt a more progressive and liberal face in this regard.It needs to reform itself from within to get rid of the ills present in it.It is here that the government needs to step in and play a sensible and pro-active role,not that of an imposer though, by urging a healthy dialogue between the traditionalists and the reformists.This process will take time, but has to begin sooner rather than later.It is ironic that in a supposedly 'progressive' and 'literate' state like Kerala, many incidents highlighting religious rigidity in temples have been brought to light.

A & N Islands Renaming

It is indeed perplexing as to why several islands scattered in an arc in the Bay of Bengal still continue to be referred to by the names of colonial British generals who played a role in the violent subjugation of certain parts of India. After all, 'indigenising' the Anglicized names given by our former colonial rulers is one very appropriate way of nation-building and reclaiming a nation's cultural heritage. It is an insult to the sacrifices given by many of our liberation fighters who were eliminated by these very same British generals in the struggle for India's freedom from British yoke. The indigenous peoples' histories and traditions should also be respected. There can be no better way of doing that than by naming some of the islands after what the indigenous people first named them and by finding out the significance behind those names. It would be a grave injustice to neglect and not acknowledge the histories, customs and traditions of various indigenous communities in the A & N Islands. after all, they lived here much before all of us i.e. the 'modern' world, so to speak.Most countries around the world have treated their indigenous peoples shabbily by regarding them as 'second class' citizens and by not looking at their societies with dignity and respect. India mustn't follow the example set by those nations. Mainland India also has an undeniable 'emotional' and 'patriotic' attachment with the A & N Islands and hence, it is absolutely necessary to name some of the islands after our freedom fighters, thereby satisfying and respecting the histories and contributions of both groups.

Reign Of Insanity !!!!!

The flip-flops of the Jamaican police investigating the Bob Woolmer murder case have been disgraceful.Stress, asphyxia, excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs, aconite, snake venom, weedkiller and now, natural death. I know this is a tough and thankless job. And I really would hate to be too critical of the Jamaican police. But I must say that they haven't covered themselves in glory. Their investigation has been a shoddy, ill-directed and aimless affair. The cricket world has lost a true gentleman in the form of Woolmer and this is the worst possible way he could have been treated after his death. A 'dignified farewell' is what Woolmer deserved and he hasn't got it as a result of this disastrous investigation which has lead us nowhere up to now. The media, especially the foreign media, has gone way 'over the top' while reporting on the case, for the purpose of 'sensationalising' the news, which will help in selling their newspapers.All kinds of reasons as to why Woolmer died have been splashed about by the media in an insensitive and insane manner. It pains me too see all this. Let us hope, for Woolmer's and his family's sake, that the case reaches its logical conclusion quickly.

Overdose Of Evil

Apropos Mr.Anil Thakraney's article 'Rape & Abuse' ( 'Ouch Potato', MM, May 22), positivity is not depicted for long in 'K' serials.The evil and senseless violence that is depicted in these serials makes me feel even the environment in 'hell' would be better.I, for one, start experiencing a 'splitting headache' on watching these soaps, for more than a minute or so.The musical reality shows are a case of 'too many cooks spoil the broth' with so much predictability in them and are extremely irritating.But there are wonderful exceptions to this 'disgusting' unwritten law (that of negativity, evil,rudeness and 'melodrama' being introduced in a show to increase TRP's) though.One of them is 'Baa Bahoo Aur Baby'.It is a refreshingly delightful and positively genuine serial where there is hardly any negativity depicted.It is also a popular serial which proves that negativity is not the only answer to increase TRP's.

Deal With The Menace 'Head On'

The current central govt repeals a stringent but necessary anti-terror law POTA since a certain community feels the law is against them,talks of giving safe passage to terrorists,procrastinates over the hanging of a convicted terrorist,conducts negotiations with the Naxals and ULFA before elections and does nothing to 'settle' the illegal immigrants' problem in spite of the SC verdict.These are just a few examples proving the feeble attitude adopted by the Indian govt while dealing with terrorism.The provisions in the existing IPC do not scare terrorists.America passed the 'controversial' Patriot Act after 9/11 and for all the vicious criticisms directed at Mr. Bush, there hasn't been a single terror attack on American soil after that.France has had stinging anti-terror laws for long now, and terrorists haven't been able to penetrate France.India must learn to toughen up and deal with the problem 'head on'.Otherwise, the same depressing story will repeat itself every 5-6 months.

Spinelessness and Impotence !!

The terror attack in Hyderabad (and in other parts of India over the past three years) has proved that the Indian government lacks a comprehensive national security strategy.Terrorism is a menace afflicting the world.It has hit India the hardest on so many occasions.Our leaders run the country in such a callous manner.In spite of so many terror attacks,the govt shows shocking impotence and spinelessness in dealing with terrorism.India is probably the only country in the world which has repealed a stringent anti-terror law which would have been effective in the long run.The moment someone talks of a stringent anti-terror law,they are branded 'communal' which is unfortunate.Appeasement politics is not going to take India forward.The govt and civil society must learn to be vigilant and take certain tough decisions in the interest of national security.The finger of suspicion,again, this time around,with good reason,is being pointed towards the usual suspect groups and yet we pursue peace with the nations sheltering them in a devout manner.It is time that we start aiming for 'dignified peace' rather than 'peace at any cost' with our neighbours.

Flagrant And Contemptous Hypocrisy

Pope Benedict's comments in a speech to Latin American and Caribbean bishops at the end of a visit to Brazil about the 'silent longing' of the indigenous peoples to be converted to Christianity is a brazen, racist and arrogant distortion of history.It is a well established historical fact that the native Indians did not welcome the violent colonisation of their land by the Europeans and majority of the indigenous peoples were forcibly converted to Christianity under horrific and brutal circumstances.The pillaging of indigenous peoples' wealth by the Europeans settlers strongly aided by the Church shouldn't be forgotten.The Pope's speech smacks of hypocrisy and is a slap on the souls of those many natives who were massacred by the colonisers and missionaries due to their refusal to convert.Gruesome crimes were perpetrated in Christianity's name.It is 'wishful thinking' on the part of the Pope to say that the natives welcomed the barbaric Christian invaders with open arms and benefited from their rule. The natives were at the receiving end of racism, bigotry, intolerance, and enslavement during Christian rule (Spanish and Portuguese rule) in South and Central America. A genuine, heartfelt apology to the indigenous peoples is required from the Pope. Surely, that can't be too much to ask for from a supposedly 'noble', 'peace loving' and 'forgiving' man like the Pope, is it ?

Maran's Resignation

Dayanidhi Maran's resignation as Communications and IT minister under tremendous pressure from the DMK,riddled with family feud, is indeed a very negative development.It speaks volumes about the 'supreme' power these regional leaders have in a coalition government, where they literally 'call the shots'.Maran's resignation just because an opinion poll conducted in a newspaper was found to be unfavourable to Karunanidhi's son's liking indicates that mobocracy and violence is rewarded in Indian politics( Tamil Nadu politics) and not merit. Maran was doing his job reasonably well.It is the prerogative of the PM to dismiss ministers and not of regional parties to call for their removal.Also, the pressure tactics being employed by the DMK to ensure that Maran's successor in the ministry is someone from the DMK itself is a real threat to the right of a PM, as enshrined in the constitution, to appoint 'suitable and deserving' ministers as per his wish. It also is a reminder of the fact that violence and Tamil Nadu politics are deeply enmeshed.

Threat From China

BJP MP Kiren Rijiju's startling claim of Chinese military incursions into Arunachal Pradesh and the concern expressed by the Defence Secretary on China investing in communication technologies, increasing asymmetric warfare capability and relying on high-tech information for cyber war signals that India must not go overboard and tread cautiously in its endeavour to establish friendly ties with China-'Once bitten,twice shy'. The Chinese clearly have hegemonistic designs on Asia and consider India as a rival. With the Chinese having adopted an extremely aggressive line on Taiwan,the rapid modernisation of Chinese military and the ugly story of Tibet and Xinjiang well known,India must resolutely state its position on the 'boundary problem', without compromising needlessly. I also wonder are the Communists( known for their subservience to China), who are outside supporters of the UPA, pressurising the Govt to go soft on China. The Govt must fasten the process of 'integration' of the three departments of the Indian military.

Pakistan Simmering

Protests that have erupted in Pakistan since the sacking of former Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry have only proven that the opposition to President Musharraf is growing and there is simmering discontent against his authoritarian rule.The clashes that took place in Karachi between pro-Mushrraf and opposition supporters and the brutal killings that followed have only discredited Musharraf in the eyes of many Pakistanis.Not many Pakistanis are willing to buy his argument that it was the politicisation of the Chief Justice's sacking that led to the violence.It is said that the hand that seizes power by force is often burnt. While it would be naive to predict Musharraf's downfall since he has been proven to be a canny and pragmatic leader in the past, the tide is slowly turning. India needs to be vigilant right now since all these developments could destabilise Pakistan which could spell deadly trouble for India since destablisation could put extremists in a position of power in Pakistan.

The End Of An Era!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tony Blair's announcement of his resignation as British PM signals the end of an era in British and global politics. It was a well choreographed exit. All of Britain and the world knew it was coming. His emotional,frank and conviction filled announcement just summed up the personality he was.Blair was the youngest PM Britain had elected to power since Lord Liverpool in 1812. He also was the first British PM to become a (legitimate) father while still in office in over 150 years,since Lord John Russell in 1849.

Blair was a wonderful,dynamic speaker responsible for transforming the Labour party fortunes and had the ability and zest to convince people about the efficacy of any 'cause' he believed in. He revived an almost dead Labour Party and transformed it in an amazing manner. His youthful exuberance,passion,dedication and determination was there for everyone to see. Great Britain had been under the grip of Conservative rule since 1979. Britain had grown weary of the 'Thatcherite' legacy by the mid 90's. But Blair always knew that 'Old Labour' had to make way for the new one. He believed that the Labour Party had to adopt and adjust to the new domestic and global realities, if it wanted to be a relevant force in British politics. He zestfully went about trying to convince the Labour Party workers about the need for change and reform. His persuasive oratory skills won the hearts and minds of majority of the Labour Party and he was appointed its leader in 1994. His landslide election triumph in 1997 proved that Britain also wanted change and in Tony Blair, they found a young,modern and energetic PM who was very committed to reform and abolition of the 'rigid, old' social, economic and political order in Britain.

The British economy did fairly well during his tenure in which he introduced controversial market based reforms.There was opposition from the 'old guard' within his own party who accused him of being more conservative than the Conservative Party itself. He was responsible for bringing Labour from the left to the centre of British politics. He believed that was an essential constituent of Labour's transformation and adjustment which he was trying to bring about. Old fashioned, rigid socialism was not the answer,Blair stated. Socialism which was in sync with modern times and which was flexible enough to adjust to global ground realities was what Britain and the Labour Party needed, according to Blair, and he went about trying to do that, with some success in the initial many months of his Prime Ministership.

Constitutional reforms such as devolution in Scotland and Wales were initiated by him.That was an absolutely dangerous political territory for any British PM to tread on,but he did with a sense of pragmatism and balance. He always believed in the oneness and unity of Great Britain. But he was also aware of the fact that many Scottish and Welsh people were desirous of freeing themselves from the shackles of London rule. So,he thought the best way of pacifying and assuaging their feelings would be by giving the Scots and the Welsh 'autonomy'. That was a very bold decision to take, but a decision which earned him praise from many quarters, including from pro-independence Scots, who said his clever and pragmatic manoeuvring had resulted in satisfying many Scots. He also took keen interest in establishing peace in strife-torn Northern Ireland. That was one of his pet-projects. Northern Ireland had been synonymous with conflict and violence since the late 60's and many innocent lives had been needlessly lost. Sectarian strife between the Catholics and Protestants was horribly high. Neither could stand the sight of each other. Most Catholics wanted separation from Great Britain and unification with Ireland. They cherished that dream. On the other hand,most Protestants favoured a continued association with Britain. It was perceived to be one of the most intractable conflicts,where neither side was willing to compromise in the interest of peace. The Unionists were as adamant as ever, demanding that the military wing of the Republicans be disbanded completely under adequate supervision. The Republicans continued to ask for compromises from the Unionists' side and were hesitant to disarm and disband under the supervision of any party. But Blair was adamant in his desire for peace and prosperity to return back to N Ireland and he worked tirelessly to promote that desire of his. He knew that the process would take a long time to succeed and hence, was patient. But he always stressed on the need for diplomacy to talk rather than guns. And after overcoming many pitfalls in the process, finally the peace process made headway and on May 8,2007, Reverend Ian Paisley of the Democratic Unionist Party took up office as the First Minister Of Northern Ireland as part of a devolved government(dyarchy).

Blair always advocated an assertive and pro-active Britain. He wanted Britain to become more of a player in international affairs.He contributed to peace in Kosovo by sending in British troops there to stabilise the strife-torn country. Civil war between the ethnic majority Albanians demanding independence and the minority Serbs had erupted in Kosovo and people on both sides were losing lives needlessly. Belgrade then stepped in by sending troops there which only worsened matters, hastening international intervention. Blair's pro-active role in resolving the Kosovo crisis earned him much praise from the international community and even in Britain. Blair always maintained that Britain had to be there in areas of conflict, to liberate the oppressed and the suffering. He stated that international intervention 'liberated' Kosovo.Then, the turning point in Blair's political career came when 9/11 happened. That changed the world in a big way. Blair before 9/11 was a very close ally of Clinton. He always stressed that Britain had to maintain close relations with the US. Their relationship was essential in spreading democracy and enlightenment in those parts of the world where 'darkness' existed. His loyalty to the Clinton administration was unflinching. Bush with his Texan swagger came to power and one expected British-US relations to cool off. 9/11 changed that. His visit to America in the wake of 9/11 and his support of American values won him the hearts and minds of many Americans. Again,when it came to supporting American foreign policy with regard to Afghanistan, he was there,on America's side.He sent British troops to liberate that war ravaged nation which was under the grip of terror supporting Taliban. It was a strategically accurate and morally noble war which resulted in success. His popularity was at an all time high. But all good things come to an end. The badly messed up Iraq war and 'incorrect intelligence' (sexing up of the intelligence) related to WMD's will always haunt him in the future. His valiant but unconvincing defence of himself really lowered his public image .British public started swinging against him. There were protests against the war.He was accused of being an American poodle. But his loyalty to American foreign policy and Bush remained unquestionable. He believed that Britain needed to work with America on various matters rather than criticise it from the outside. Still,in spite of all this, Labour won the 2005 general election albeit with a reduced mandate. He was elected for a third term as British PM,a record for a Labour politician. But controversies continued to hound him, most notably the 'Cash For Peerages' scandal. But in the midst of all this, he was involved in several notable projects. For example, his focus and admirable zeal on giving aid to help out Africa in poverty and disease reduction. But his resignation announcement was widely expected and it came on May 10,2006 when he stated that he would not be staying in office after June 27,2006.His unflinching conviction in any mission close to his heart, however, was an integral part of his personality. His firm belief that Britain's interests would be taken care of by maintaining a friendly relationship with the USA was a case in point. In spite of being at the receiving end of harsh and vicious criticism, he stood firmly on his belief. Under his tenure, Britain's relations with India also received a huge boost.

And finally,he has resigned at an age when most Indian politicians start undergoing political training...........He definitely will leave behind an interesting legacy that can be described as bitter-sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ideal Relationship !!!!

I took this test out of sheer boredom and this is the result it delivered................pretty much on expected lines!!!!

Your Ideal Relationship is Marriage

You've dated enough to know what you want.And that's marriage - with the right person.You're serious about settling down some time soon.Even if you haven't met the person you want to get hitched to!

What's" Your Ideal Relationship?

My Inner Hero- Paladin !!!!!

My Inner Hero - Paladin!


I strive to help others, and to bring truth and harmony to the world however I can. Whether times are good or bad, you can always count on me. I'm a shoulder to cry on, a champion for the helpless, and an all around nice person.

How about you? Click here to find your own inner hero.

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw: A True Indian Hero!!!!

Gohar Khan's allegations against Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw just prove that Pakistan has not been able to get over the hammering and humiliation it had to endure from India in the 1971 war.Under Mr. Maneckshaw's admirable leadership, Indian forces masterminded the rout of the Pakistani military within a matter of days.His smart,canny and mature leadership skills during that war also lead to the dismemberment of Pakistan.His leadership also symbolised the genuine secularism prevailing in the Indian military.These unconfirmed, baseless and preposterous allegations just before the release of his book prove that Mr. Khan is more interested in selling his book to a wider market segment just like Musharraf did last year before the release of his book which contained non-sensical accusations levelled on India.It may also be Gohar's ploy to salvage the negative legacy of his father by bringing up such matters. These allegations are just absolutely ABSURD, nonsensical and deserve to be thrown in the dustbin.

A Theatre Of The Shocking And Brainless

The PM's panel's suggestion of giving safe passage to terrorists is really shocking.Healing touch is required to win over the hearts and minds of some Kashmiris,but this is an absolutely ludicrous way of going about trying to achieve that.This would only lead to more terrorism as the government would be indulging in a massacre of our national security interests.The morale of the Army would be shattered as they are not capturing terrorists to release them finally as per the whims and fancies of their political masters.They are doing a commendable job by defending our territorial sovereignty and they shouldn't be betrayed like this.Such terror appeasement policies just will not work, for terrorists need to be taught lessons the 'hard way'. Being soft while dealing with them will ensure that India is stripped of its pride and dignity as has happened in the past unfortunately.

Pakistan:The Epicentre Of Global Terrorism

The admission of the existence of terror camps in PoK by Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan is a vindication of the Indian government's position which has remained unchanged for years.The revelations also reflect a certain 'disconnect' between Islamabad and the PoK leadership which India needs to observe carefully.It is only a pity that the West has failed to heed Indian concerns regarding terror infrastructure in PoK and proves in no uncertain terms that Islamabad has failed to respect the promises it made to India to dismantle PoK's terror factories as per the January 6,2004 agreement.The Indian government must not let Pakistan off the hook this time around atleast by keeping silent.They must use these admissions to launch a diplomatic offensive to expose Pakistan's involvement in aiding and abetting anti-India terrorist groups as these 'dirty tricks' of Pakistan will act as a hindrance to 'peace initiatives' .

Mahakali Caves: An Architectural Wonder In A State Of Neglect

I had visited the Mahakali Caves in September 2005 with my group members as part of our History project. What we had to do was visit any monument in Mumbai and talk to the people who were responsible for its upkeep. We also had to find out about the history of the monument of our choice, analyse tourism prospects of the monument,etc. Our group decided to do a project on Mahakali Caves.

HISTORY

The Mahakali Caves (or formerly Kondivita Caves) are Buddhist Caves dating back almost 2000 years. The present day Mumbai city region is made up of seven small isles. The islands are Mahim, Bombay, Colaba, Mazagaon, Parel and Old Woman’s Island. Further north laid the large islands of Salsette and Trombay.Artefacts found near Kandivili in northern Mumbai indicate that these islands were inhabited since Stone Age. In the third Century B.C., they were part of the Magadha Empire ruled by Emperor Ashoka.The Elephanta Caves, Kanheri Caves, and the MAHAKALI CAVES date back to this era. After the decline of the Magadha Empire, Buddhist monks still remained on this island.

Kondivita was a Buddhist cave, as we know by now. But with the decline of the Magadha Empire, and the ascendancy of Hindu rule, there arose a dispute among the powers that be about the status of Kondivita.It was a very spiritual, holy and a deeply respected site. The Hindu rulers ruling the region realized the importance of the site. Therefore, without destroying the sanctity of the site by destroying it, they changed the name of the site to a Hindu ‘MAHAKALI CAVES’. Then rumors were spread that the site was actually an abode of Goddess Mahakali.This is one of the many theories offering an explanation for the name ‘MAHAKALI CAVES’.

MAHAKALI CAVES: A UNIQUELY PRECIOUS ARCHITECTURAL JEWEL

The architecture of the Mahakali Caves is, simply put it, breathtaking. It may not be a Taj Mahal or a Qutubminar if we go by the architecture. But the simple fact that the architecture of these Caves has lasted all these years, by and large, also proves that the quality of the material used for constructing it the first time must have been superb. Some portions of the Caves are in ruins, but the vast majority of it is intact. The Caves are carved out of a solid black basalt rock. This complex is fairly big, with around 20 cells and caves. But the stress here is on function, not norm.

Like Kanheri, Kondivita was also a center of Buddhism, so the modern name ‘MAHAKALI CAVES’ is misplaced. The Caves are carved into a long hillside, which immediately brings to mind, Kanheri.But the large-pillared chaitya and the bas-relief Buddhas of Kanheri are not to be found here. Instead, one small cave in the middle houses a stupa inside a capsule like chamber. The right wall of this Cave has a panel depicting a seated Buddha and a few Buddhist legends. Finally, the stupa has been appropriated by shaivites as a lingam.

Two other caves in Kondivita merit attention because of their distinct and unique features. One is the first cave, which has a multi-tiered look. It was probably used for meditation and rightly so. It is the perfect place for meditation. I also meditated there for a few minutes and wow, didn’t I feel as if I had been in another spiritual and holy world while I was meditating in that place. The other interesting Cave is towards the end of the row. It has a small-pillared hall with nine chambers opening into it. These are typical and characteristic features of Buddhism, which has been depicted very obviously, through the architecture of the Caves.

The architecture of the Caves is very real, in the sense, that it transports you back into the era in which it was built. At certain times, one almost feels surrounded by God. Atleast, I did feel so. The architecture clearly depicts the era in which it was formed and also the way of life of people in those times.

TOURISM PROSPECTS: PROS AND CONS

All these features make MAHAKALI CAVES a very ideal destination for all those people who are avid historical tourism buffs and also who are fascinated by the architectural beauty and wonder of various heritage sites. Frankly speaking, I would say that MAHAKALI CAVES is like a precious jewel amidst some of Mumbai’s trash. It provides a whiff of fresh air as compared to some of the other architectural wonders that we see in Mumbai.The Kondivita or the MAHAKALI CAVES are by far the cleanest of Mumbai’s lesser caves. One is quite familiar with Victorian style architecture. But one very rarely gets to see ancient pre-Christian heritage sites reasonably well-maintained and their architectural magnificence. The Caves are also reasonably tall which also provides people who like trekking with a good trekking experience on a smaller scale. The view of the area, which we get while standing atop the Caves, is awe-inspiring. One gets to see the lush greenery prevalent in the area surrounding the MAHAKALI CAVES .The sight is very picturesque. It is just a pity that it has not been given the adequate recognition it deserves. So come on people, take your digi-cameras, your pen and pencil, your trekking boots and pay a visit to the MAHAKALI CAVES. You are sure to enjoy the fabulous ancient architectural brilliance of the Caves and the surreal experience, which you will encounter.

But the fact that the Caves have not been given much prominence has also contributed to its downfall in many ways. It is not very clean, though it is still cleaner as compared to some of the other caves. But still, the entry to the Caves is filthy. There are not enough garbage disposal squads in the area. There are no proper guides inside the MAHAKALI CAVES to give us good precise information about the history, significance of the Caves. Lack of prominence has also meant not much care has been taken to replenish and refurbish the few extremely vulnerable parts of the Cave. Lack of funds has also severely hampered the development of the Caves as a picnic spot for parents, children. Lack of funding has dented the building of proper infrastructure in the area closely surrounding the Caves and also inside the Caves. The Caves have also become a haven for drug addicts, gamblers. Little wonder that not many people go and visit the Caves or take their relatives. The Caves are surrounded by shanties and have been encroached upon. There are not enough security personnel to ensure that people who do visit the Caves do not litter it with waste which, most of the time, they do considering the horrendous civic sense of we mumbaikars.

EPILOGUE: A GENUINE APPEAL TO CITIZENS

On the whole, I would still say that the ‘MAHAKALI CAVES’ is a place worth visiting. It is precious jewels like these that show and prove the architectural wonder and diversity of Mumbai.It is our duty to respect the various diverse architectural heritage sites, which we Mumbaikars have been gifted with. We must take adequate care of not just those heritage sites which are famous and have been given prominence all these years, but also of those sites which are unheard of and have not been given much publicity, but are still equally, if not, more praiseworthy. The MAHAKALI CAVES is certainly one of the many precious gifts, which Mumbaikars have been gifted with. The least we can do is pay a visit to this beautiful heritage site and give it the respect and dignity, which it duly commands. We, citizens must do our level best to properly maintain the cleanliness of the area surrounding the Caves and also by urging those visitors who dirty the area, not to do it. We, citizens can also start a ‘MAHAKALI CAVES’ fund from which the money will go to the development and proper maintenance of the Caves. This idea may sound a little far fetched, but with a little enthusiasm and public spirit, this may well go on to become a shining success and an example of what the participation of zestful local citizens can do. But the saying, “FORM IS TEMPORARY, CLASS IS PERMANENT” certainly applies to this heritage site and I will vouch for that.

We owe something to this fabulous heritage site which has stood its ground for so… so… so many years, don’t we?

A Sojourn To Goa!!!!!!!

Everyone likes to travel to different places around the world, different spots in their own country. Nature has gifted us with such lovely places that no one would not want to visit them. I am certainly a travel buff, who loves visiting different places, studying their culture, architecture, people and history. It is a pity that I have been able to go only to Himachal Pradesh,Tamil Nadu and Kerala. There is so much more of Bharat that I want to experience (incudes Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, ArunachalPradesh, Lakshadweep Islands, A and N Islands, Sikkim,................. and of course, Jammu and Kashmir). Too much to ask for.......well,what the heck? Nothing wrong in having desires.

In January 2006, I visited a province of Bharat that I always secretly desired to visit-Goa. I had been to Goa as a part of my college picnic-cum-industrial trip (there was nothing concretely industrial in it, to be honest!). I being a history buff, knew of how the Portuguese oppressed the Goan people and destroyed the social fabric of Goa. So, I was all the more excited. There were about 150 students from my college who were in the trip,45 from my class. We left for Goa on Jan 9, 2006 at about 11.00 pm by Matsyagandha Express, half hour late. In the train, it was fun with friends in company. We were chatting,playing till 2-2.30 am and then dozed off to sleep. On Jan 10,2006, we reached Madgaon which is in Goa at about 12.30 pm, two hours late (No surprise,considering the Bharat railway system!) To be honest, I was very tired , so instead of being energetic , I was 'relieved' that I had finally reached Goa. We boarded a bus to reach our hotel which we did in about 40 minutes time. On the way,my first distinct impression of Goa was observing symbols of 'Christianity' almost everywhere on the streets (The colonial Portuguese certainly did their 'job' well while ruling Goa). There would be small to medium sized churches almost everywhere in open lands which were plentiful (unlike Mumbai). There was a St.Sebastian, St.Franco, St.Francis,...chapel in very many areas. I also observed colonial-style mansions, settlement blocks, cottage houses, which to be honest , were beautiful and a visual pleasure. On reaching our hotel named 'OLD ANCHOR', what I first saw was a sizable statue of Vasco Da Gama. The hotel was a big one, surrounded by trees, a splendid beach. The settlement blocks (like PORTO FRANCO,ESTADA DA INDIANA PORTUGUESA) in the hotel where we were logded were just awesome. I along with 8 other friends was lodged at the 'BEIRAMAR' settlement block. The rooms were spacious, with good bathrooms and beds in it. Then, we left for Majorda beach which was a place worth visiting, had fun there. In the next two days, we visited CAVELOSSIM, CALANGUTE, BENAULIM beaches and had a blast there. Talk of Goa, and how can you forget white foreigners!They were there all over the places we visited and made their presence felt. It seems some of those white people were Indian citizens of Portuguese origin, holding dual nationality. The beaches were just so clean, putting to utter shame Mumbai's beaches. The sand was so soft, your feet were smooooothly sucked inside, to put it in simple terms. I went deep into the waters of the beaches and must say, it was some'experience' to see the waves rising above you,coming towards you, and then engulfing you. In the MAJORDA beach, I participated in the BANANABOAT RIDE, JET SKIING and NORMAL BOAT RIDE with friends. The JET SKIING was exhilarating and the BANANA BOAT RIDE was 'painful' fun. We also visited a Coca-Cola producing plant and saw how the drink we love so much is made right from scratch. We then made a visit to the 'BASILICA OF BOM JESUS' cathedral. The church was magnificient to say the least,statues were of pure gold (God alone knows where the Portuguese looted it from), clicked photos there, went to the art gallery where there were sermons preaching Christianity. In the art gallery,there were paintings on the various Christian Saints and their 'contributions'. We were taken on a cruise as well ,which was rather boring,for an hour, through the MANDAVI river. There was plenty to shop around, cheap clothes, cashews, antique pieces, although some of them were a wee bit expensive. Special mention must be made of the food which was served to us in the hotel. It was delicious. Why wouldn't it be delicious when you are served various types of paneers, tasty north Hindustani delicacies, soups, a single non-veg dish for all 'animal lovers' and top-quality desserts like BREAD PUDDING, MOONG DAL HALWA, SUJI HALWA, VERMICILLI KHEER, TRIFLE CUSTARD, JELLY CUSTARD, various ICE CREAMS, BANANA RUM PUDDING, etc. I am not exaggerating, mind you. I had to make mention of this (my mouth is watering while writing this). We left Goa on Jan 13, 2006 at around 10.00 pm and reached Mumbai at 8-8.30 am the following morning.

What a trip it was!!!! Loved almost all bits of it. There is so much evidence of 'Portuguese'ness in Goan culture that you have got to live with it,like it or not. It is not like other parts of India,atleast the places where I went. For all their ills, the Portuguese did a few good things for Goa as well. The happy-go-lucky, free-wheeling, liberal culture of the Goans is what makes it such a hotspot for tourists. That is the Goan identity and it must remain that way. It shows how liberal, diverse and accomodating India is!