April 2014 - Elections, IPL, Kochadaiiyaan and much more

Elections 2014
16^th Edition of Indian Parliamentary Elections are back now – World’s largest parliamentary exercise is on the way. 9 phase election scheduled and First Schedule is over – April 7^th. Second Phase is on April 9^th , Third Phase is on April 10^th, Fourth Phase is on April 12^th, 5^th Phase is on April 17^th, 6^th Phase is on April 24^th, 7^th Phase is on April 30^th, 8^th Phase is on May 7^th and 9^th and Final Phase is on May 12^th 2014. Counting & Results is on May 16^th 2014. – we will probably know by End-of-the Day who is going to be the prime minister of India.
Modi is the frontrunner for the post; Way behind is the Rahul Gandhi – other contenders like AAP Aravind Kejriwal are not in the picture at all. Only hindrance for Modi is within the BJP itself – as the media projecting – if BJP gets seat less than 160 then Modi cannot be the PM or praying that BJP should get less than 160 Seats.. But BJP needs with coalition more than 225 seats to be a strong contender for PM seat else if BJP wanted support from Regional parties then Modi may not be the contender for PM.. BJP as a single entity should get more than 160 seats – 200 seats.
This election coverage in our Television has become a sort of show – entertainment, theatrical but is it informative – it is the big question. Biggest theatrical is the Times Now coverage of the Election , that too Arnab Goswami as the anchor is taking the coverage to new dizzying heights in comedy not in information.  NDTV / CNN – IBN coverage are much more purposeful but Headlines today coverage is leaning towards BJP – it is showing in the coverage itself. AAP is not in the picture at all and the best comedy is the arvind kejriwal political rallies and roadshows.. I think this is going to be bitter pill to swallow for Arvind Kejriwal.. if he loses delhi – as the trend is showing that BJP will get 4 seats , AAP 2 and Cong 1 – Arvind will realise that National Politics is different from State and also Delhi Politics. The media which projected him is now disowning him –as the saying goes – place money on the horse which is winning.. But this election is going to be a watershed in Indian Politics..
Sad part is the congress –which is going to be thrashed in this election , which they didn’t faced even in the elections after the emergency.. as the trend shows they will not touch triple figures  - Rahul gandhi cannot do much whatever he tries.. For me he is a good leader but today the way media projects as if he is a mismatch is wrong. He is much better than lots of politicians – one thing is owning up the responsibility – which he is not owning, this it seems in the way he is talking ,, this he needs to change. He is putting all his efforts but at the end whole world knows that before entering the game itself he is going to lose.. This is because of the way the UPA II governs – why? How come Manmohan Singh governed is the question which only he can answer.. With very little governance – the top leadership couldn’t control the government as such – the moment 2G Scam hits and Manmohan Couldn’t control DMK – the message is very clear.. no governance and this government will keep the chair at all costs.. from there it is downhill.
IPL 2014
IPL Is once again back – there was a little doubt whether IPL will be conducted, but finally there was no threat –this after the Supreme Court last month gave some proposals in its Match Fixing Case – to ban CSK/RR and Removing Srinivasan from BCCI President Chair. But next day –thank god – nothing like that happened – only Srinivasan was removed and Gavaskar was appointed to take over the IPL 2014 and Shivlal Yadav will manage the other BCCI Affairs. Good choice –both of them.. Earlier IPL has been moved to UAE for first phase due to elections india and from May 2^nd other matches are to be scheduled to be conducted in India. UAE is a good choice because of so many indian expatriates there and also because of Asian Communities and also of other nationalities. It is also close to india so tourists can also visit UAE and also watch the matches. Timing is also apt – only 1:30 hours time difference.
This IPL 2014 is going to be a much closer contest – sure that CSK will not be the winner this time.  Nor MI or KKR – it could be Kings X1 or Sunrisers or could be DD also.. but my bet is of Kings X1 or DD.. RR I am not sure, they have a good team but can they win the trophy I am not betting them.. RCB is the final team – they have a strong batting team but not allround team so no bet on that also.  But is it going to be a Cracker of Contest – better have seat belts it is going to be hell of a ride..
Kochadaiiyaan
No blogpost of mine is complete if no mention of either ARR or Sachin.. so ARR is covered this time – Kochadaiiyaan and Highway – two different sound tracks .. As usual ARR Roars, Shines.. great Sound Tracks..
Cricket
Great T20 world cup – at bangladesh; Spinners ruled and batting was not easy;; it was great to watch. But India lost in the final – SL played like champions – last 4 overs to Yuvraj, Virat and Dhoni was exceptional and the final over from Malinga was near perfect. Kudos to Sri Lanka.. Except in the final India played really well like champions, if one team deserves the title it is INDIA – in this edition.
All the Best !!!

Epilogue - Sachin Tendulkar 'GOD'of Cricket - Thanks for all the Memories

Epilogue – Sachin Tendulkar ‘GOD’of Cricket- Thanks for all the Memories

·         "The world's greatest cricketer plays his last match...much to the disappointment of throngs of adoring fans," The magazine said of the 40-year-old, who will bid adieu to cricket after playing his 200th test currently being played against the West Indies in Mumbai.

·         "India's top cricket player, Sachin Tendulkar, is regarded one of the greatest batsman of all time. The only player to score 100 international centuries, Tendulkar leaves the sport as the greatest player of his generation," 'Time' said.

Another Time article said as the little Master plays his last Test match there is "as much a celebration of a great batsman as a poignant meditation on the vacuum he will leave behind." It said when Tendulkar's last match is over, "a nation will have to be content with its memories."

God of Cricket walks into the Sunshine – Back to the pavilion for the Last Time in his illustrious 24 years of Enchanting Cricket; What a glorious career he had .. The day he made his debut 15^th November 1989 and the last day as a batsman 15^th November 2013 – 24 Years of Cricket equivalent to 4 years of full time on the field. (Tests, ODI. FC, T20 Put together)

24 years of Enchanting Cricket and memories which we can cherish for our whole life… We grow along with Tendulkar in those 24 years – 24 years of enjoyment, happiness, sorrow, tears; Watched the way he attacked in His initial years, the way he played ODI internationals – 200 runs the first man in the planet to score as Ravi Shastri exclaimed on Television, the way he dominated the Aussies , we can cherish all those 100 International Centuries , can’t tell which one is best; A true Legend!!! Even shone in the T20s Especially in IPL scoring more than 2700 runs, he shone in all forms of Cricket.. Yes Thank you Sachin..

It was a tense morning, watching the God walking to the crease for one last time and never ever seen him doing one thing, which he did yesterday and today , touching the pitch , taking a pinch of the soil and touching his chest and did his bit of thanking to the pitch 22 yards of soil, which was his life for more than 30 years.. Which implies that the Cricket is what it is for him.. Really a touching tribute from the Great Master..

What an innings he played, it was vintage Tendulkar , taking us back to the early years , wherein he dominated the bowling.. Classy Cuts, Straight Drives, nudges, Drive through the covers – everything was there,, truly a vintage Tendulkar.. 

It was a mesmerising sight to watch the spectators praying, chanting, shouting for every ball, every appeal,, One defining moment when Tino Best ball, Tendulkar tried to Upper cut and a loud appeal – all the eyes were with the umpire Richard kettlebrough, he gave Not out – it was very good decision.. The came panned Anjali Tendulkar, her hands on the chest and when umpire says Not Out – she let out a huge sigh, what a relief .. Another moment after God reached 116^th Test Fifty, Anjali signing Tendulkar to play safe!!! What a sight!!! It was really magical.. His mother was praying all the time.. 

It was not only his family, the whole nation was praying that Sachin should play a long innings.. That is what Sachin to every person – no one has carried that emotion.. 

What a pressure he would have carried on his shoulders, one billion peoples expectations.. Man, he didn’t showed these today ,it would have been greater pressure than all the other innings he has played.. He didn’t carried or showed in the way he played.. He played freely, as MSD wished, Sachin truly enjoyed this Innings.. 

Once he reached the pavilion, Sachin showed how he should have played that delivery, he was smiling.. Wet tears all around, for a moment wankhede was stunned in silence, it was eerie, the spectators forgot to clap.. Then they realised ‘when the sign board showed – thanks Sachin for wonderful 24 years of Enjoyment’’ it was a standing ovation.. 

I was dreading that moment, I was praying that one over – first over after the break, let it go through GOD will score a century, our wish will come true.. But Alas, destiny was willed otherwise.. We cannot write our own script, isn’t it!!! It was really a heartbreaking moment.. As the God walks to the sunset, Game Continues, as it should be…  But cricket can never be the same!!! 

Thank you Sachin!!!! Thanks for Everything!!!! 24 years of Enjoyment, Happiness, Sorrow , Tears, Tension.. What not… God Bless!!!..