Final Transit

This was a googly for people who know me, for I’m known to exhibit disinterest in the game of cricket and show an apathetic attitude whenever anyone speaks about it. But on Monday 28th Nov, I witnessed the live clash of the champions – India and South Africa at the fifth one day international (ODI) match at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Prachi, my bachpan ki friendi had got free passes for the two of us.

While in the queue for security checks, the gigantic structure of the cricket stadium which had a theoretical capacity of accommodating 40,000 spectators looked overwhelming. Add to that the sound emerging out of the colossal construction, and it is bound to raise your heartbeat to exciting levels.

We entered the stadium and hopelessly tried to get to our seats. Soon we gave up the effort as, evidently, the number of people in the stands was at least twenty percent greater than those allowed and it was too crowded to move. This was verified by newspapers next day which proclaimed that about 10,000 extra tickets were sold – that’s 25% more. phew! The crowd was dominated by youngsters and more importantly – considerable number of pretty ones

Finding our way to the top row and settling down, I took some time to understand what was happening around. Tens of thousands of people – young and old, men and women, all dressed up in colorful clothes, with banners, flags, placards, posters, etc waving in air. Most of the people were on their feet and chanting slogans or simply jumping around and screaming at the top of their voice. The stadium rocked in union when the South African team arrived to bat and Indian team to field.

Collective energy of the crowd when converted would have been able to provide power to the whole city. All occasions – SA wicket, or Indian fours, sixes and even quick singles were awarded with thunderous applause and cheering by the crowd. The spirit of sportsmanship was evident as the fans clapped and acknowledged sharp fielding or good bowling by the guest team. Even the home team was not spared by the jeering when they made any mistakes.

Highlights were the sizzling innings by Saching Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. Rahul Dravid played the captain’s innings and won the match for us.

Important thing I realized was that the cricketers who are just few feet away from us are simple human beings. Like other humans, they slip, fall, goof up, and do all natural errors. It’s quite easy to watch them on TV and blame them for everything, but the pressure under which they perform under the scanner of a live audience – Indian audience – is definitely commendable.

And now I’m addicted. Let’s see when I can get the next chance!

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After 2 years, I managed to digitalize my travelogue about the bicycle journey from Goa to Bombay that I undertook with 5 friends in November 2003. It is now available in the Photo Gallery > Travelogue section of this website.

We were a group of 6 enthusiastic boys and travelled from Goa to Mumbai on bicycles. Travelling a distance of about 635 km, we completed the expedition in 6 days. It was a memorable journey along the National Highway (NH-17) passing thru North Goa and Konkan (Madgaon, Panaji, Shindhudurg, Kudal, Rajapur, Lanja, Ratnagiri, Khed, Mangaon, Pen, Dombivli). I still recollect the thrill, excitement and the exhaustion.

Click here to read about it. And do comment!

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Understanding Ayn Rand: Step one

Having devoured several John Grisham’s I’ve got used to his style so much that his courtroom conversations have become predictable to certain extent. Ayn Rand’s ‘Night of January 16th’ a small play about a murder trial springs surprises. I’ve attempted reading Atlas Shrugged a few years back, but in vain. This work is pretty easy to understand, but I could barely fathom her intended ‘Romantic Symbolism’ message.

In the introduction to the book (which consumes 13% of total number of pages), Ayn Rand states:

A sense of life is a preconceptual equivalent of metaphysics, an emotional, subconsciously integrated appraisal of man’s relationship to existence. I emphasize this last be cause it is a man’s attitude toward life that constitutes the core and motor of his subconscious philosophy. Every work of fiction (and wider: every work of art) is the product and expression of its author’s sense of life. But it may express that sense of life translated into conceptual, i.e. philosophical, terms or it may express only an abstract emotional sum. Night of January 16th is a pure, untranslated abstraction.

Nevertheless, there are some mass-appealing sequences:

Nancy Lee: Mr. Stevens, that supposition is insulting to me
Stevens: I haven’t noticed you sparing insults, Mrs. Faulkner
Nancy Lee: I’m sorry, Mr. Stevens. I assure you that was not my intention

Flint: Mr. Regan, what do you do when prospective clients refuse to pay your protection?
Regan: I’m legally allowed not to understand what you are talking about
Flint: Very well, you don’t have to understand. May I question you as to whether you read the newspapers?
Regan: You may
Flint: Well?
Regan: Question me.

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Can you imagine doing things as diverse as one, appearing for TOEFL exam at Saki-Vihar, two, relishing sizzlers at Andheri and three sipping tea at a shanty in Matheran – all in less than a day? I narrate today’s story while wriggling in my chair stuffed with soft pillows to position my sore butt and wondering how the human mind can work in such a bizarre manner.

I turn up with my friend Vaibhav at the TOEFL test centre off Saki Vihar Road near Sakinaka. After we emerge triumphant (I scored 260-297 / 300) at around noon, we notice our gastric juices already grumbling against the lack of availability of anything to consume. Some serious deliberations completed and we land at Kobe’s, near Marol, Andheri, a place better known for its sizzlers. (Courtesy Seema). A Sizzling Chicken with Pepper and a small dose of rice almost suffice our appetite; nevertheless we still plan to hang out at Pizza hut or Galleria at Hiranandani, Powai.

Stopping at Sakinaka signal, Vaibhav suggests that we go to Matheran on his bike. I’m initially stunned to hear this, but I agree immediately, and in no time we change the course towards Matheran. A two hour drive on occasionally smooth road takes us at Dasturi and by four in the evening; we are sipping tea at a shanty near ‘Welcome to Matheran’ railway platform.

We find ourselves on a pleasant short break from the routine life in the arms of Matheran, the smallest hill station in the world, a unique location barely 100 km away from Mumbai and a place where entry of vehicles is prohibited. At five thirty we depart after stocking ourselves with some chikki and wild honey and we reach outskirts of Dombivli by seven in late evening.

I am usually a time-table kind of guy but often exhibiting such sudden bursts. Glad to know Vaibhav too gets his kicks by similar fashion, no surprises – ‘Birds of a feather flock together’ as he better puts it. I must once again acknowledge his superior driving skills – to which I’m totally used to – but today he drove almost 200 km which calls for a seven gun salute.

Now tackling the itchy hair that have housed probably a kilo of dust and dirt. Special note: If you notice me raising my posterior and resting it down again, that doesn’t mean I’m farting, but I’m simply trying to make it comfortable.

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Came across these links while browsing: Mumbai Cyber Lab (MCL) is a joint initiative between the Mumbai Police and NASSCOM. The Cyber Crime Investigation Cell is established by Crime Branch of Criminal Investigation Department (Mumbai). The functions of these websites include reporting cyber crimes and assisting the victims, raising general awareness about cyber crimes and collaborating with national / international security agencies so that the common user has safe internet experience.

Cyber Crime is a crime that is committed over the internet. This is what MCL says about cyber crimes and the magnitude of the menace.

It is not a surprise that Cyber Crimes like money cyber stalking, denial of service, e-mail abuse, chat abuse and other crimes are on the rise. Cyber Terrorist and cyber mafia are emerging with great force, whose activities are going to threaten the sovereignty of nations and world order.

The websites give general information for users of all categories, and describes in brief the types of cyber crimes such as hacking, child pornography, cyber stalking, software piracy, virus dissemination, Denial of Service (DOS) attacks, net extorsion, Phishing, online frauds etc. There is also a section dedicated to Indian IT Laws.

Overall excellent websites and an essential bookmarks. Such initiatives by Mumbai Police department are definitely commendable.

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