A group of 5. A semester full of fun. Each one bringing in his/her own specialty. That is our JB OPS gang.
That was our JB OPS gang. The gang which will now always be incomplete. We'll miss u forever!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Mumbai konachi? Who is Mumbaikar?
Just now I was watching Zee Marathi Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. 3 Finalists were singing in the grand event at Gateway. Do u know their names?? Dhangar, Chellam and Saxena. :-)
Isn't it odd to have such names in Marathi show's final?
Yes, that is truth. Inconvenient truth which is conveniently overlooked.
Mumbai recently won Ranji trophy for 39th time. But, 3 players were representing national team at that time. Names: Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Zaheer Khan. And who won the trophy for us? Captain Wasim Jaffar. And it was team performance of Agarkar, Salvi, Kulkarni, Abdulla and Nair which made it possible.
But, is this recent trend? Let's look at some history. Recently a party has taken strong stand against North Indians because it is projected that North Indians take due credit of locals. Who are locals? Just Marathi Manoos?? If yes, then what happened to those who came here in 1960s, because of which another strong local party was established since then. Will the south Indians be treated as locals now? They are here for more than 40 yrs now.
And what happened in 1960? Maharashtra state was created along with Mumbai. But there was dispute about which state shall have Mumbai. Gujrath or Maharashtra. If there was this dispute then I presume Gujrathis are staying in Mumbai right since then. So are they Mumbaikars?
Now let's take a long backward lap. There use to be Pentagular cricket tournaments (Pancharangi) in Mumbai in 1920s. Which were the team? Bombay Gymkhana (Europeans use to play under this team), Parsi Gymkhana, Hindu Gymkhana, Mohammedan Gymkhana, The Rests. Buddhist, Jews and Indian Christians used to play under "The Rests". I don't even want to count the number of years these communities staying in Mumbai. But do they fit in political definition of "Mumbaikar" ?
It is very much clear that Mumbai has always been mix culture city. Then why can't we simplify this? Whether its Marathi/North Indian/South Indian or anybody else, those who stay here in legal shelter and use Mumbai infrastructure resources legally shall be treated as Mumbaikars, And those if anyone is not fitting in this then he is not Mumbaikar (even if he/she is Marathi).
So? Are you Mumbaikar?
Isn't it odd to have such names in Marathi show's final?
Yes, that is truth. Inconvenient truth which is conveniently overlooked.
Mumbai recently won Ranji trophy for 39th time. But, 3 players were representing national team at that time. Names: Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Zaheer Khan. And who won the trophy for us? Captain Wasim Jaffar. And it was team performance of Agarkar, Salvi, Kulkarni, Abdulla and Nair which made it possible.
But, is this recent trend? Let's look at some history. Recently a party has taken strong stand against North Indians because it is projected that North Indians take due credit of locals. Who are locals? Just Marathi Manoos?? If yes, then what happened to those who came here in 1960s, because of which another strong local party was established since then. Will the south Indians be treated as locals now? They are here for more than 40 yrs now.
And what happened in 1960? Maharashtra state was created along with Mumbai. But there was dispute about which state shall have Mumbai. Gujrath or Maharashtra. If there was this dispute then I presume Gujrathis are staying in Mumbai right since then. So are they Mumbaikars?
Now let's take a long backward lap. There use to be Pentagular cricket tournaments (Pancharangi) in Mumbai in 1920s. Which were the team? Bombay Gymkhana (Europeans use to play under this team), Parsi Gymkhana, Hindu Gymkhana, Mohammedan Gymkhana, The Rests. Buddhist, Jews and Indian Christians used to play under "The Rests". I don't even want to count the number of years these communities staying in Mumbai. But do they fit in political definition of "Mumbaikar" ?
It is very much clear that Mumbai has always been mix culture city. Then why can't we simplify this? Whether its Marathi/North Indian/South Indian or anybody else, those who stay here in legal shelter and use Mumbai infrastructure resources legally shall be treated as Mumbaikars, And those if anyone is not fitting in this then he is not Mumbaikar (even if he/she is Marathi).
So? Are you Mumbaikar?
winter aisa bhi hota hai!
I am a Mumbaikar. Right from childhood I have stayed in Mumbai and have never seen anything outside 36 deg C and 22 deg C. I always wondered why cars have heating provision. Used to wish Northen cold wave shall continue a bit longer so that Mumbai remains pleasant for some more day. And used to wonder how come cold wave claims so many deaths every year.
But, this year I am experiencing this all on my own. Being stationed in Varanasi had taught something new which school geography never taught me.
1) Here people drive with heater ON. Because that is only way to survive in outside chilling 8-10 deg C
2) People wear 2-3 sweaters in addition to normal clothing and then add a leather jacket on top of it
3) Drivers drive just based on gut feel. (not because they are over confident but because there is absolute zero visibility after 8 PM)
4) Whenever u breathe, people may think u are smoking. Yes! that is breath fog for u.
5) Day sees maximum temperature of 11-12 deg C. And Sun.... where is it? Come next week. U may get chance to enjoy sunlight.
So.... that's why I said, winter aisa bhi hota hai! :D
But, this year I am experiencing this all on my own. Being stationed in Varanasi had taught something new which school geography never taught me.
1) Here people drive with heater ON. Because that is only way to survive in outside chilling 8-10 deg C
2) People wear 2-3 sweaters in addition to normal clothing and then add a leather jacket on top of it
3) Drivers drive just based on gut feel. (not because they are over confident but because there is absolute zero visibility after 8 PM)
4) Whenever u breathe, people may think u are smoking. Yes! that is breath fog for u.
5) Day sees maximum temperature of 11-12 deg C. And Sun.... where is it? Come next week. U may get chance to enjoy sunlight.
So.... that's why I said, winter aisa bhi hota hai! :D
Vada pav v/s Mysore masala
?? Are u looking for some cuisine related blog?? Then let me tell u in first place itself, this is about cricket and not food. :-)
This story is about grand yearly event in domestic cricket world. RANJI TROPHY!!
Trophy is now more than 75 yrs old. It has provided stage for many great players to reach international operas. I still remember the days when Mumbai lost to Haryana despite 112 by Vengsarkar and 96 by Sachin. Haryana won by just 4 runs. Vengsarkar was not willing to move from pitch (after all he was not out batsman) and Haryana team (including Kapil, Ajay Jadeja) was running towards pavilion. Those were the days when Ranji used to be telecasted on TV.
And then there was this match between Mumbai-TN. TN scored huge 485 in 1st inning and Mumbai was struggling to reach there. Sachin was holding one end, while wkts were falling at other end. But finally Zaheer kept his patience. Sachin hit crucial 4 to take Mumbai on 489. And next over first ball Zaheer got out. But, Mumbai had all crucial 1st inning lead. Yes, I witnessed it. But not on TV, this time it was Radio.
Post 2000, all were doubting future of domestic cricket. Specially the format. Shall we focus more on one dayers? And where is 20-20 in domestic format? Is this format good enough to create more and more players? Don't know about what are the answers but still Ranji trophy is fresh and played with same competitive spirit.
This season's finale! Mumbai-Karnataka. Tough and experienced teams. 5 days of battle. It has all the ups and downs. Karnakata seemers cleared Mumbai top order cheaply in first inning. Veteran Vinayak Samant held the inning together to take Mumbai to respectable 233. But Vinaykumar and Mithun made the Mysore masala tastier that day.
But, Avishkar Salvi along with other seemers served very spicy Vada pav to Karnataka very next day. Wow!! Good 103 runs 1st inning lead for defending champs. But, that also meant brilliant cooks Vinay and Mithun had another round to serve. And Mumbai in no time was 51/5. Game on!! Hosts seem to had everything under control and Mysore masala seemed to be better dish. Uthappa must be plotting plans about "how to chase 200-220 in 4th innings" at that stage of match.
And of nowhere, when there were 28 overs left in day's play, Wasim Jaffar sent Dhaval Kulkarni (popular no. 10/11) to accompany Abhishek Nair. I am not able to figure out this move till today, but it worked. Nair made 50, Kulkarni stayed there with him..... or was it other way? Kulkarni made 87 to take Mumbai total to 234.
On a miserable pitch (where Srilanka mite have called off match) Karnata had tough target of 325+ in forth innings. Ranji trophy was going to taste Vada Pav for sure!!
But, :) Another twist. Royal Challenger (IPL) player Manish Pandey hit back hard. 144 he made in no time (155 balls) At one stage, Karnataka was 255/3 and was cruising towards target at full speed of 4 runs per over. Ranji trophy will be served Mysore masala.
.... there was another "but" in match. Warrior fell. Game on! End result... another nail biting finish to Ranji season! Ultimately Wada pav proved to be a bit tastier than Mysore masala. But by just 6 runs.
This time I was following all this ball to ball on (cricinfo) and I don't need to restate how exciting the match watch. In fact, there was some other international match going on, but I don't even remember which two countries were playing.
Yet another great season, great finish. Ranji trophy may be served with Wada pav or Mysore masala or Hydrabadi biryani or Delhi chaat... or anything else. But, this menu of Ranji trophy will serve some quality food even in future.!!
This story is about grand yearly event in domestic cricket world. RANJI TROPHY!!
Trophy is now more than 75 yrs old. It has provided stage for many great players to reach international operas. I still remember the days when Mumbai lost to Haryana despite 112 by Vengsarkar and 96 by Sachin. Haryana won by just 4 runs. Vengsarkar was not willing to move from pitch (after all he was not out batsman) and Haryana team (including Kapil, Ajay Jadeja) was running towards pavilion. Those were the days when Ranji used to be telecasted on TV.
And then there was this match between Mumbai-TN. TN scored huge 485 in 1st inning and Mumbai was struggling to reach there. Sachin was holding one end, while wkts were falling at other end. But finally Zaheer kept his patience. Sachin hit crucial 4 to take Mumbai on 489. And next over first ball Zaheer got out. But, Mumbai had all crucial 1st inning lead. Yes, I witnessed it. But not on TV, this time it was Radio.
Post 2000, all were doubting future of domestic cricket. Specially the format. Shall we focus more on one dayers? And where is 20-20 in domestic format? Is this format good enough to create more and more players? Don't know about what are the answers but still Ranji trophy is fresh and played with same competitive spirit.
This season's finale! Mumbai-Karnataka. Tough and experienced teams. 5 days of battle. It has all the ups and downs. Karnakata seemers cleared Mumbai top order cheaply in first inning. Veteran Vinayak Samant held the inning together to take Mumbai to respectable 233. But Vinaykumar and Mithun made the Mysore masala tastier that day.
But, Avishkar Salvi along with other seemers served very spicy Vada pav to Karnataka very next day. Wow!! Good 103 runs 1st inning lead for defending champs. But, that also meant brilliant cooks Vinay and Mithun had another round to serve. And Mumbai in no time was 51/5. Game on!! Hosts seem to had everything under control and Mysore masala seemed to be better dish. Uthappa must be plotting plans about "how to chase 200-220 in 4th innings" at that stage of match.
And of nowhere, when there were 28 overs left in day's play, Wasim Jaffar sent Dhaval Kulkarni (popular no. 10/11) to accompany Abhishek Nair. I am not able to figure out this move till today, but it worked. Nair made 50, Kulkarni stayed there with him..... or was it other way? Kulkarni made 87 to take Mumbai total to 234.
On a miserable pitch (where Srilanka mite have called off match) Karnata had tough target of 325+ in forth innings. Ranji trophy was going to taste Vada Pav for sure!!
But, :) Another twist. Royal Challenger (IPL) player Manish Pandey hit back hard. 144 he made in no time (155 balls) At one stage, Karnataka was 255/3 and was cruising towards target at full speed of 4 runs per over. Ranji trophy will be served Mysore masala.
.... there was another "but" in match. Warrior fell. Game on! End result... another nail biting finish to Ranji season! Ultimately Wada pav proved to be a bit tastier than Mysore masala. But by just 6 runs.
This time I was following all this ball to ball on (cricinfo) and I don't need to restate how exciting the match watch. In fact, there was some other international match going on, but I don't even remember which two countries were playing.
Yet another great season, great finish. Ranji trophy may be served with Wada pav or Mysore masala or Hydrabadi biryani or Delhi chaat... or anything else. But, this menu of Ranji trophy will serve some quality food even in future.!!
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