Thanks from the heart

Today is August 01st. People all over the world celebrate today for 2 reasons - One being a Sunday and the second one being the world celebrating FRIENDSHIP DAY..

Personally, I dont really believe in all these "Days"- Sister day, Father's day, Mother's day et al. But from another stand point, I see this as a very big marketing opportunities for bigs such as Archies, Hallmark etc. Because presence of a friend is for life and you dont need to thank them on one single day...

I understand from some sites that this concept began in the US in 1935. Nevertheless, it has been commercialized so well that the bigs have made whole lot of money. When I say I dont buy in to this concept, I do not mean that I dont have friends.

I have whole loads of friends right from my friends in KG to 12th, to MBA, to work spot, violin etc. Many are friends for life.

Taking this as the right occasion, I wish to thank each and everyone who have made a big impact in my life by your acquaintance turning out to be friendship.

Like there is a saying "The smallest moments shared with friends bring us the brightest joys".

I wish each and everyone a very happy friendship day!!!!
Special thanks (12th friends) to

GS - mom of 2, an amazing singer with her mellifluous voice and a great friend,

VSB - a mom of 2 and an inspiration for me for her balancing household chores and office and making delicious recipes,

PS - soft spoken, caring.
Rad, Shree - you mean a whole lot for me... You know and in addition - (we wish each other during Sep end when our birthdays fall)
My friends in MBA - LV, SP, RR aka WD, SM - you guys have made me feel very very young at heart.
My violin friends - RS, BS, DS, AS,RVR - You have created a perfect symphony ;-) to our friendship.
All my other friends, I thank you all for being there in my life

Football fever that lasted for about 30 days

South Africa, a nation known for many good things just added one more to its cap by successfully hosting this year's world cup. A game that glued millions to their seat and stay awake to watch their favorite players. The game started with 32 teams on June 11th and ended with 2 teams on July 11th with SPAIN clinching the title.

I was thinking how I got attracted to this game. The answer came to me as 'my parents'. Thanks to my parents particularly my father (who has been a footballer himself & played in College matches in 50s). He keeps telling the fellow viewers watching TV on the fouls/ missed chances/ corners that a Forward/Defense/Midfielder does. Wait.. Did I tell all the positions? yes. Taking words from him and getting inspired I started following this sport. I stop by here (on me watching) just by making a comment - Every parent should motivate their ward (boy or girl) to get associated with some sports other than cricket. Say Basket ball or Football or Tennis. India can produce lots of Jordans, Villas and Nadels.

I still wonder why due attention and motivation is not given to this wonderful game. Today if at all, football is known in India, its primarily due to the playing states - Kerala, WB and Goa out of 27 states in India. Thats about 10 percent. All the other states love and watch football. Thanks to Mohun Began and East Bengal teams and Santosh trophy - still football is alive. It is a known fact that the past history of Indian football was not all that gloomy and bright. There are lots of FB associations in India with the same (torch) bearers in the post doing nothing.

Adding to it, is the dirty politics that exists in every sports. The government can step in to promote this game by providing extrinsic motivation, proper infrastructure, have excellent coaches like Dunga? Whynot? When cricket can have a foreign player as their manager, why not Football? Afterall, its money and passion. The quality of the game should come a long way.

Professionally managed associations (no Government interference) to oversee the selection of players, giving them intense training etc. The task is challenging by a doable one. We can definitely make the 2 time Asia cup winner to play in WC.

Government, are you listening? All it takes is to allocate 10 percent of the money you spend towards promoting CRICKET to FOOTBALL. India will SHINE!