The five rings that mean alot.

Olympics is a multi-sport event, which is most awaited and revered by the sport stars, because here the best of the world players compete for becoming the first among
equals. This is one event of its kind, which countries from all over the world feel pride in and strive to do their best. It was started in Great Britain in the year 1896 where, about 250 Europeans participated. It was in 1906 that the games attracted a broad international field of participants, and generated great public interest. The rings in the emblem, represent the five inhabited continents and the colours, (Blue, yellow, black, green and red) were chosen because every nation in the world, has at least one of these colours in their national flag. This year the Summer games were held in Beijing, where 204 countries participated.
India has been participating in the Olympic games since 1900 when a sole athlete, Norman Pritchand, represented India, and the first team was sent in 1928 in Amsterdam for the sport Hockey. In the past 108 years, we have been able to collect 9 gold, 4 silver and 7 bronze medals, totalling 20 medals in Summer Olympics, in contrast to one of our immediate neighbours, China, which in the recent Beijing Olympics itself, collected a total of 57 medals. This clearly shows their outstanding devotion towards this event, their will to excel and be the best on the world stage.
These statistics are disgraceful for our country, keeping in mind the large population we have. Out of the billions of citizens, we, have not been able to develop world class players who can represent our country on a broad International platform. Where does the problem lie?

1) The first and the most important problem is that, a majority of Indians do not value the importance of this event. Even though Olympics comes after 4 years, we remind ourselves of this event just an year in advance and starts practicing for it. Then how can we dream of winning a medal by fighting against those who have practiced strenuously for 4 long year. We believe in mere participation. The thought of winning a medal makes most of us smirk or mock at the contestant. Winners are not formed overnight. We should remember that nothing is impossible to achieve. If we have a dream, we also have the courage to fulfill it. After all, Micheal Phelps won 10 medals in this Olympics which is the highest anyone has ever achieved since the inception of this event. This simply shows his sheer determination and assidousness.


2) We see cricket being played in every nook and corner for the country. This is the importance this sport gets here, which is not not even close to what any other sport gets. Hockey is our national sport, but cricket is our nations sport. The remuneration, endorsements and the grand celebrations given to the team on winning a game are so enticing, that everybody wants to become a cricketer, and they believe that it is only cricket can get that because such celebrations are not seen for any other sport. Infact, we have forgotten that there are other sports as well.

3) Lack of proper infrastructure and equipment for training. We still see children playing in gallies and on ridged fields which are unsafe. Parents do not allow their kids to engage in rough sports like Rugby, Volleyball, Soccer etc with the fear of getting hurt or even disabled for life. As compared to the large population we have, the number of Tennis/ Badminton courts or proper cricket/ Hockey fields are very less. Children still play cricket with rubber balls instead of proper cork balls.

4) Majority of the population is below the poverty line.We know that athletes require extra proteins, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Till the time the bulk of our population does not get even the basic nutrition, we cannot think of producing world class players who eat at least 4 meals a day interspersed by nutritious snacks.

5) We tend to forget the contribution of our players as soon as the event ends. There have been many players who have won laurels for the country at national and international levels, but after retirement, in old age they have died in isolation and adverse poverty. Our Government only felicitates them at the time of victory and once they leave the sport, their names are erased from the memory. Who would wish to play for such a country.

How are we to bridge this gap that separates us from our fellow competitors? Can we do it or not? I believe that Yes, we can, but for that we need to be determinant and resolute in our actions. We should remember that representing India on the International or National level is important, and winning the title is the most important. These players have put their game ahead of their family needs, they have worked hard under adverse conditions to bring name and recognition to our country. The rigorous practice session that the players follow, cannot be forgotten. The vast population of India hides alot of talent which still needs to be recognised, before the world starts exploiting it. We should encourage new ideas and inputs. We should provide proper infrastructure and material that will help the dreamers realize their dreams. Because of the large population, we do not value people. Remember that everyone is equal and every job is sacred.
Go India, get up and get going...!!!

Mera Naam Joker- A class apart

A film that left an impact, a film which was made for the youth, showcasing the three different stages of life, the adolescence, the adult and the old age. A film that very few people appreciated because it was less entertainment and more of reality. This was the film which was far ahead of its time. A masterpiece by the R.K.Studio.

"जीना यहाँ मरना यहाँ, इसके सिवा जाना कहाँ... "

A song that touches the cords of our heart, a song which displays the meaning of life in the simplest manner. Yes, this is the starting line of one of the most melodious song of the Bollywood cinema.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to watch Mera Naam Joker. Although I was a bit tired, but could not resist watching the classic late at night. The film starts with Rishi Kapoor, playing the role of adolescent Raj Kapoor, in a school which has Simi Garewal as its teacher. Rishi Kapoor has done justice to the role as a chubby, docile, innocent and friendly next door boy, who you are sure to fall in love with. He makes you cry when his fellow students bully him, he makes you smile at his ingenuous talks and he makes you laugh at his comic actions and dialogues. Raju, as he his called, likes to see people smiling and happy. He asks his teacher, Simi Garewal, as to why is Jesus Christ looking sad in all his pictures, to which the teacher replies that it is because his children (inhabitants of Earth) are unhappy. That day Raju decides that he would never be unhappy and would become a Joker, like his father who worked in a circus and died while playing on the trapeze. Joker, a person who enjoys telling or playing jokes and making the viewers laugh at his buffoonery. From here starts the life of the Joker. He is rusticated from school because of such public performances. His life is shown to be full of challenges and adversaries, but true to his profession, he remains happy and makes people happy. One of the most disturbing scenes is in which his mother passes away and he is asked to perform in the circus to entertain people.

This is what life is. One has to remain happy whatever the situation be. We are all entertainers on earth, we are all acting our parts and we have to present ourselves in the best possible manner every time. There is no place for sympathy and no need for it as well. The more we appear to be happy and satisfied with life, the more satisfaction we would get, because then we would not compare ourselves with others and get so much involved with ourselves that we would not have the time to notice others.

Every situation demands equal importance, be it a joyous occasion or a depressing event in life. The more we enjoy in a challenging situation, the more we would be able to appreciate the blessings we have. As it is very well said, that if you wish to improve yourself, look at other, and if you wish to improve others, look inside yourself you will find many inbuilt imperfections. My sole aim of introducing the passage with this film was because, this film explains the learning's of life, in just three hours.

We find that everybody is craving for success and as soon as we get an opportunity, we grab it, forgetting those people who have made it possible for us. People who have been besides us during the tough times and those who have made us hope for, and believe in a bright future. We should never miss the chance to thank those few who have helped us realise our dreams and who have helped us become the person we have always admired. Raju was one such character who lived for others and loved everyone. He lived his life entertaining people and died in the end doing the same. People loved him but were never able to guess how sad he was from inside. He never shared his problems, instead he tried to overcome them by being happy and content.

Keeping the movie theme in mind, we should all pledge that we would remain happy in all situations and extend help to anybody in need without expecting anything in return. I have learnt a lot from this movie and hope that the others would also do the same.

With loads of love and Best wishes.

Keep smiling.

A short message..

Hi,

A cool morning followed by a sunny afternoon and now a chilly night. This is what winter season is all about. But, winters are far better in Delhi as compared to the actual cold places on earth, so we should try to enjoy it to the maximum extent.

Today, after visiting my recently constructed house, I thought of constructing a blog for myself. People might not be able to see the link between a blog and a house, but I see it now, and I would try my best to explain it.

The plot was purchased about 20 years back, but the construction started 2 years back. My father was our contractor (hmm..nice). The layout was being made for the past 4 years, revision after revision, and finally the plan was approved and the bricks were layed. My father and mother have seen every brick being positioned, under the hot scorching sun, in rain or amidst the cool winter breeze. Similarly, this blog has been in my mind since a very long time but the actually writing process has just begun. I know, since it is the first, it would not be very good, but I will keep improving with each blog, and that I am sure of. Like every brick has to be cemented very carefully, similarly, every word here needs to be written very carefully, finally making a structure (read as blog) stand apart from the rest. Something whose details are cautiously studied and then presented in the best possible manner.

My parents have achieved success in their work and I too wish to get the same. Wish me luck..!!! :-)