An Indian F1 team September 30, 2007
Posted by The Saint in India Rising.Tags: F1, India Rising
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All these years, the indian f1 fan was wishing for an F1 race in India, and when it happened, it was exciting. Finally India has its own race, and it is really huge for us F1 fans, rather for the whole motor sport industry. Now, there is going to be an Indian F1 team. This is going to be exciting. I really want to see Narain and Chandok racing against the mcies and ferraris, and hopefully one day, an Indian will drive for these teams. That would be manna.
God bless Vijay Mallya
Right to Emergency Care September 30, 2007
Posted by The Saint in India Rising.Tags: India Rising
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I got this in an email.
Right to Emergency Care:
The Supreme Court has ruled that all injured persons especially in the case of road traffic accidents, assaults, etc., when brought to a hospital / medical centre, have to be offered first aid, stabilized and shifted to a higher centre / government centre if required.
It is only after this that the hospital can demand payment or complete police formalities.
In case you are a bystander and wish to help someone in an accident, please go ahead and do so.
Your responsibility ends as soon as you leave the person at the hospital. The hospital bears the responsibility of informing the police, first aid, etc.
Please do inform your family and friends about these basic rights so that we all know what to expect and what to do in the hour of need.
SO FOLKS …..Here after don’t hesitate to help the victims of an accident incase if u encounter…raise Ur helping hands …..
This is great news. Bless the person who brought this to the Supreme Court’s notice.
Rahul Gandhi – General Secretary. PM? September 27, 2007
Posted by The Saint in India Rising.Tags: India Rising, politics
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We knew the moment would come, and even though we were always wrong about the timing, when it came, it wasn’t a surprise. Finally it happened. Rahul Gandhi, son of Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi, was appointed the general secretary of the Indira National Congress, more commonly known as Congress Party. Ever since, Sonia Gandhi came into prominence, Rahul was pushed into the spotlight, and he was a reluctant politician. Whatever reasons he had, he had to push them to the background and take center stage, for the sake of the country. Whenever he spoke of something, even though it was not radical or refreshing, one gets the feeling that he speaks from his heart and out of genuine care.
From the current crop of politicians, I really am unable to gauge any positives from any of them. Achu mama in Kerala has my respect, Budha in WB seems to be doing well. Other than that, mmmmm…. pity. Out of a billion people, and I am sure a lakh of politicians – 2 people. Thats pathetic.
So coming to Rahul. Reluctant to join initially, he is doing a lot of stuff which seems to improve his credibility in my eyes. He is not a power monger, and he seems to understand the enormity of the problem. Sample his tours to UP and his campaigns there. I just hope that he doesn’t feel the pressure too much. A lot of indians look up to him. He is the new generation. Our Rajiv Gandhi. Let’s start fresh. He doesn’t look like having parochial thoughts and seems to think about India first, and then its states. We need a national leader, who unites us based on our lineage, and not on caste, money or language.
I am not saying that he is our savior or that he will succeed. But let us give him a chance, and wish him the very best. May India grow, may indians prosper. Dude, Jai Hind.
Chak Dia – India September 26, 2007
Posted by The Saint in Cricket, India Rising.Tags: Cricket, India Rising
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What a final!!! India vs Pakistan final is something my generation has been waiting for. The last time they met in a final of a world championship was in 1985, it was a beauty. This is the first time that they are competing in a World Cup Final. The expectations were sky high, and both the sides delivered.
It was 3.5 hrs of pulsating cricket, and the finish was nail biting. When you think that India had all but won the match, by taking 7 wickets and with the asking rate at about 2 runs per ball, it proves you wrong. Misbah hits 3 sixes in an over, and then Sohail hits another 2. Err… match in the bag? You wish!
And so it went down to the wire, 13 from 6, 9 wickets down. So you think, yea India is really close to winning it, and what do you get. A wide. Hmm.. thts ok.. its just a run, still 2 runs per ball, 12 in 6 balls. Next ball, SIX!!! YIKES!!! 6 in 4 balls. Thats gettable… Looking at the shot he played, you get a feeling thathe is capable of hitting everything for 6, and all he needs is one ball, and he has got 4. I shudder…. Next ball, a cute paddle shot by Misbah. You panic, with all kinds of thoughts going in your mind. YIKES!!! Fine leg is up, and at such times it goes to four. So that means it is 2 from 3 balls. 
. NO WAIT!!! INDIA WON!!! Cute little paddle becomes too-cute a shot, and the ball goes to Sreesanth. INDIA WON. INDIA WON. INDIA WON.
It was so surreal… as the indian players raced towards each other, and threw themselves on each other, one man slouched on the pitch – Misbah. One shot away from glory, but he will be remembered for the shot he played, rather than the breath taking and counter attacking innings he played. Well played, Pakistan. We love your spirit, but we want victory nonetheless.
I still don’t know what Chak De means, and now Chak Dia, but as always I know the experience of Chak Dia, India. India, you beauty!!!
Chak De India – The experience September 23, 2007
Posted by The Saint in Cricket, India Rising.Tags: Cricket, India Rising
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Chak de India… I don’t know what it means, but I sure know how it feels. India beat Australia in the T20 world cup semi final, and what a game it was. After the world cup disappointment, I swore ofo cricket, especially India, but today put me back into the orbit of a normal indian cricket fan. I am deliriously happy and excited.
The attitude that the Indians showed on the field was amazing and inspiring. Here was a bunch of boys playing shoulder-to-shoulder with the mighty Aussies, and they stood up and made themselves count, and the best part was they played a game the Aussies would have been proud of. Though the Aussies showed why they were world champions by not buckling under the enormous pressure, and giving themselves a chance till the 14th over, the last 6 overs showed, that they can be mowed down as well. They can cave in as well. Even though, it was for a brief period, welcome to “victimland” guys.
4 guys stood out for me today… Yuvi, Sreesanth, Joginder and Dhoni. Dhoni showed superb leadership skills, and for a guy so young, it is refreshing. His changes, backing his team mate’s intuition and finally his reasoning for giving Joginder the last over. Hats off dude. I am really looking forward to your captaincy.
Now to the final – India Vs Pakistan in a world cup final. This is something my generation has been wishing, dreaming and looking forward to. Let’s hope it is another cracker of a match.
Sehwag, Gambir, Uthappa, Yuvi, Dhoni, Sharma, Pathan, Bajji, Joginder, Sreesanth & RP Singh… You guys were great today. Even if you had lost today, nobody dare raise a finger or voice. We are proud of the cricket you put up on display, and our pride swells when we think of the way you won against the mighty aussies.
Chak de India. One win at a time, one battle at a time, one street at a time…
An unexpected twist April 7, 2007
Posted by The Saint in Cricket, India Rising.Tags: Cricket, India Rising
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Wow. That was totally unexpected. The BCCI finally does something that is in sync with what the general public wants to hear. Two things, that really impressed me, was their willingness to take on Sachin and then the support for Chappell. Looks their priorities are in the right place.
Let’s see how it pans out.
Every dark cloud has a silver lining April 5, 2007
Posted by The Saint in Cricket, India Rising.Tags: India Rising
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Just as every indian was feeling down or out with the cricket tragedy, first at the world cup courtesy Team India, and in the media, courtesy BCCI, comes a great news.
The UP High Court has ruled that the Muslims in UP are not a minority anymore. Wow!!! As an indian, this is the best news that I have heard in a long time.
I am sure the whole political system will be polarized with the BJP and like minded parties for it, and the Congress and Left guys against it. This is just what the doctor ordered.
Reservations should be based on economic merit rather than caste. This way, only the needy will get it. I have seen some richie rich “backward caste” people get a college seat on “merit”, where as a poor forward caste guy has to pay. DUH!!!
Even though this is a landmark judgement, I am sure the political class will ensure that it is overturned. We need respect for the judiciary, but the politicos are the worst offenders. I am sure the Congress, Samajwadi and the Left parties will ensure that there is a law or something, that overturns this judgement. BJP will be waiting for this like a vulture awaits the dead, and once its done they will start their yatra rhetoric.
Amongst all this, let the fair minded people in India stand up for the rights of the downtrodden. Quotas and reservations are a must if we need to progress as a nation, and make all sections of the society participate in it. But not in its present form. Not based on caste or religion. I don’t deny the fact that there are millions of muslims, dalits, harijans who cannot afford education, and quota system is the only way they can get education. But I ask the lawmakers, will such sections of society loose out if the reservation is based on economic criteria?
Caste and religion will destroy us. This judgment is just the kick starter we needed. Let us feel the full blow of the kick, and then regroup as one nation. Politicians please? Rahul Gandhi? You wanted to talk about quota? Let us talk.
First the cricket team debacle, then this. This sure is turning to be a good year for India. All we need to do is learn from these pitfalls.
India is definitely rising.
Update: As expected, the UP government rushed to stay the legislation which was done by the court, as expected the BJP termed it minority appeasement but unexpectedly and fortunately, their response was muted. I guess it is because they are caught up with their CD affair. The expected backlash hasn’t happened yet.
Happy Birthday India August 15, 2006
Posted by The Saint in India Rising.add a comment
As India celebrates its 59th year of freedom, I would like to re-emphasize my pride and happiness in being an Indian. Whatever may happen, whatever corruption, whatever riots, whatever lack of services and infrastructure, India as a dream , as an idea, is still powerful enough to raise hope in erasing these anomalies. India still gives hope to people like me, who want to see a better India, a better life for our fellow Indians. NGOs like Parivartan, new political parties like Lok Paritran show that India still breeds such hope and vision in us. So lets raise a toast to India and her future. Jai Hind.
Society, system and psyche!!! June 9, 2005
Posted by The Saint in India Rising.Tags: India Rising
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I was talking to a friend of mine who is working in the Supreme court about the various ways available to improve the quality of life in our country. This is what I wrote to him.
Its quite a long story. I have this passion about eradicating corruption. I have a nice list of events that I went through for that. I have been influenced by vigilante movies about the curse of corruption and have been affected by it as well. I feel that corruption is the root cause of all this slow growth of our country. I think everyone agrees on that. Looking back at the progress we made over the last few years, I am reinforced in this more.
A solution is what I have been trying to achieve. Its not the system alone, its very wide spread in our society and psyche. I have seen many people tempted to wriggle out of a situation by offering money to people. This is kind of normal in any environment. The abnormal thing in this scenario is how easy it is for you to do that( a crime) and go scot free.
To remove this abnormality, its not easy and sometimes it looks daunting but its not impossible, just a wee bit difficult. Results may not come immediately, maybe not even in my lifetime, but I just want to make a small contribution in what I think is right. To tackle corruption effectively, the attack has to be at three levels, System, Soceity, Psyche. I think the soceity and psyche have been influenced more due to the attitude of the system, the bureaucrats and law enforcers. To tackle these 3, there needs to be a huge change in thinking across all strata of soceity. I know there are people out there who are disgusted with the whole scenario and want to do something about it. Millions of them. They are waiting for the right moment to latch on. They would do. I am trying to channelise them. Its like collecting a million twigs and make one big battering ram and go right through that unyielding door. There should be something that gives us utopia. Something worth any sacrifice we do. If we have something like that, then I am sure we wouldn’t be short of resources-money, people, ideas, enthusiasm. That one promising idea is what I am in search for.
To be honest, I dont know that one thing that will mobilize the people. My first target is the system and I think PILs are one way of tackling the system. Thats why I was getting information about them. Most of the govermnent organizations are lethargic to changes and changes which means good to the soceity at large, because they may need to do things differently from what they are. If I have a good process which is more efficient and cost-effective than the current one, and the government wouldn’t take it, I think I have the right to goto the court. I think they would have to come up with something good to explain that their inefficient process better than the efficient one. As you mentioned, since the cause is genuine
and good for soceity, I think the PIL would be entertained.
I am more concerned about how the PIL is successful. Is it because of the lawyers who come for or go against it? Do they make a difference? Or does the cause reign supreme? If its the lawyers, what are the fees for the best? Approx would do.
I know I won’t get utopia with this. I know some people may ridicule me. All I am concerned about is my passion for it. I love this country, but it doesn’t seem to be the best place to be in other than emotional reasons. So why not do something about it… 
I want to try atleast.
