Yo.. i ridicule myself and try to address my soul often times.. the subject is the fetish i have for Sports and the orgy of time i spend analysing pre..during..post game situations and matches. I think millions of guys would attest to this syndrome, the quasi-athlete as we like to believe we are, the ones who hit that ball over the fence or scores a bunch of field goals or throws 8 Touch downs.
Believe me, there is nothing more than a good night sleep laced with some dreams about how you won the championship for your club or country and how New York Times or ESPN screams you just overtook Michael Jordan and Mike Tyson for on-field immortals. I mean without battling an eye, guys would sign up to a dream with them scoring the winning goal than them scoring a different kind with Beyonce Knowles or Jen Anniston.
There is something about sports that makes men go senseless.. go angry.. become inconsolable and lose thyself in the mania. Its precisely a feeling, that transports you to Utopia.. to 3rd base.. sports is more than life.. believe me, i have read about men taking lives for these sports.
I always thought i spend way too much time on these things, but often i learn something from them.. where else can you have a practical display of what it takes to win?.. Hardwork.. Team Work.. Sacrifice.. Blood.. Spine and Salt. Thats why men love sports, it typifies what they understand life to be, a spirited battle of wits.. nuts and bolts with a cohesive team that faces pressure and outperforms thy expectations.
Once in a while, you learn some invaluable nuggets.. some gems.. heres one i learned when one coach was asked.. "your team was not supposed to win, how did you motivate them?"
the answer:
destiny is not chance.. its choice
destiny is not what you are given in life.. its what you take out of life
destiny is not luck.. it is hardwork..
destiny is not for also rans.. it is for those who ran hard
now.. if those statements are not truer abt life (not only sports) i donno what else is.. believe me, instead of the fetish in lining up to therapists and temples if we listen to these men who motivate people to work hard, you will not only learn about life and what moves people but also start implementing it..
Sports teaches one more than a game, it teaches one thy life and makes them learn about thyself!!
Monday, March 27, 2006
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
The Domino Effect: Nick the Nuclear deal
Yo.. looks like President Bush has his plates full trying to convince the Congress about the importance of the Nuke Deal.. its impossible to not be biased when we get such a sweet heart deal from America.
Ofcourse America needs our help (and from the deal they give us, we are obliged to do so) but i tried to look at the nuclear deal from all views:
As an Indian: Well, Christmas (or Diwali for Hindus) came early as they say. Not only has our program been (well, sort of) legitimized (and India's non-participation in letter or spirit of NPT overlooked) but US is also going to provide solid support to our civilian needs. The giant elephant in the room, India's energy needs, will be addressed by this effort. With the growing imports in jobs and the increasing needs of our countrymen, we need every assistance we can get.
As An American: You can understand why Bush wants to do it, it (presumably) creates a new ally that can be relied upon, and in the (inevitable) event of US aligning on a different aisle from China, India is a wonderful geographical partner. But, a big one, China is not your average farmer (to cut the golden-egg laying goose, US). China has too much money to lose if it gets into a match with US and all those Chinese goods, well for a change they have to be sit in the factory.
Also, Indian energy consumption has alarmed every one, average Americans do not even know how much reserves India has. A potential fight for a depleting Mid-East oil is a bore. So, if US can help India reduce its energy requirement rate, that helps the US. The trade-off though is to bite the bullet and swallow a bitter medicine and that is America will help a country which dissed NPT and not only got away from it but also gets rewarded.
But, the bigger picture though is the potential friendship that can help in the next century when a realignment of allies happen. A democracy willing ally with the second largest populace cant hurt too bad. So, US gets back little to nothing but a "maybe" future ally. (An awful lot to give up though!!)
The Average Country: Well, these countries are caught in a hard place, they do not want anything to do with arms race or nuclear weapons, but still why is US rewarding the very country that is supposed to be punsihed under NPT? Does this mean we have to do something to prepare ourselves? Practically speaking, some of these countries are geographically liable in a global race!!
Axis of Evil: Aah, the rogue states, the told-you-so countries. This deal is the perfect example of how America favors certain countries. If India can flout NPT and get rewarded why cant we do the same, theres always China to reward us?
The Scoop: Boy, what a pickle, i just hope the US Congress blocks this.. I know it will hurt my country, but i do not want India to be rewarded for 2 decades and in the third decade the "axis of evils" start a war that ensnarles everyone with the premise that Indo-US deal broke all meaning for NPT. I just can see how much this is a fodder for the terrorist Islamists who will whip up a frenzy because a muslim country (Pakistan) was snubbed in favor of India. This has disaster written all over it, for the sake of the world and the potential arms race, lets hope they either tweak or drop this deal. As a citizen of mother earth, i just think thats the safe and secure option for all countries.
Besides, Indians are smart enough to develop these technologies themselves, it may take a few decades but it can be done. The cost of this deal is more than money, its billions of lives at stake.. Let PEACE rule.
Ofcourse America needs our help (and from the deal they give us, we are obliged to do so) but i tried to look at the nuclear deal from all views:
As an Indian: Well, Christmas (or Diwali for Hindus) came early as they say. Not only has our program been (well, sort of) legitimized (and India's non-participation in letter or spirit of NPT overlooked) but US is also going to provide solid support to our civilian needs. The giant elephant in the room, India's energy needs, will be addressed by this effort. With the growing imports in jobs and the increasing needs of our countrymen, we need every assistance we can get.
As An American: You can understand why Bush wants to do it, it (presumably) creates a new ally that can be relied upon, and in the (inevitable) event of US aligning on a different aisle from China, India is a wonderful geographical partner. But, a big one, China is not your average farmer (to cut the golden-egg laying goose, US). China has too much money to lose if it gets into a match with US and all those Chinese goods, well for a change they have to be sit in the factory.
Also, Indian energy consumption has alarmed every one, average Americans do not even know how much reserves India has. A potential fight for a depleting Mid-East oil is a bore. So, if US can help India reduce its energy requirement rate, that helps the US. The trade-off though is to bite the bullet and swallow a bitter medicine and that is America will help a country which dissed NPT and not only got away from it but also gets rewarded.
But, the bigger picture though is the potential friendship that can help in the next century when a realignment of allies happen. A democracy willing ally with the second largest populace cant hurt too bad. So, US gets back little to nothing but a "maybe" future ally. (An awful lot to give up though!!)
The Average Country: Well, these countries are caught in a hard place, they do not want anything to do with arms race or nuclear weapons, but still why is US rewarding the very country that is supposed to be punsihed under NPT? Does this mean we have to do something to prepare ourselves? Practically speaking, some of these countries are geographically liable in a global race!!
Axis of Evil: Aah, the rogue states, the told-you-so countries. This deal is the perfect example of how America favors certain countries. If India can flout NPT and get rewarded why cant we do the same, theres always China to reward us?
The Scoop: Boy, what a pickle, i just hope the US Congress blocks this.. I know it will hurt my country, but i do not want India to be rewarded for 2 decades and in the third decade the "axis of evils" start a war that ensnarles everyone with the premise that Indo-US deal broke all meaning for NPT. I just can see how much this is a fodder for the terrorist Islamists who will whip up a frenzy because a muslim country (Pakistan) was snubbed in favor of India. This has disaster written all over it, for the sake of the world and the potential arms race, lets hope they either tweak or drop this deal. As a citizen of mother earth, i just think thats the safe and secure option for all countries.
Besides, Indians are smart enough to develop these technologies themselves, it may take a few decades but it can be done. The cost of this deal is more than money, its billions of lives at stake.. Let PEACE rule.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
The Exception: Indian Nuke Policy
Yo.. nothing makes me more happy than a rosy relationship between India and US. Both countries are good examples of successful democracies and are prominent role players. India has gotten to a late start in mending frosty relationships with western countries, and the cold war dynamics of earlier decades and India's love affair with Russia were bumps in the road.
President Clinton broke the ice after a frosty time following the 98' Nuclear bomb tests in Pokhran,India. Clinton, the darling of millions of Indians, both during and after his presidency, is a man much appreciated and loved -- deified --in India. Particularly, his charity work in India and other third world countries are legendary. I still recollect the Clinton craze in the early part of this decade when Bollywood cine-stars started naming their condos the "White House".
A lot has to do with the westernization of India, you find people listening to rap and hip-hop in posh cities and trying to be as American as possible. Yes, India does have an American love affair. This love affair was borne from the yearning, the younger generation has for quality life and the gap between dream and reality -- corruption and poverty and illetracy -- in India (although thanks to BPO, the urban population are getting their corns now).
Naturally when various New-Polls found President Bush as an amicable man, this was more a reflcetion of what Indians feel about America. Oggling America is now of the past, mating and dating is the new theme. The sense of confidence, bashfully and quite reflective, of Indians -- aided by -- the orgy of jobs that American firms tend to throw at hopeful graduates facilitates this unlikely romance between US and India.
Well, it is a love-affair, for only in love affairs do we make exceptions, do we ease or even lose - if worthy -- our views and perceptions and our "donts" in favor of a romantic partner or so America hopes. Love-affairs can be blissful and poisonous, can be heaven and hell -- potential partners, have to agree to disagree and hopefuly not disagree to agree.
Ironically, its the "disagree to agree" affair that China and US had that made US ditch China for a India. India, wisely, went to the beauty parlor -- manufactured nukes -- and built herself into a beauty -- with bombs -- and looked attractive enough for the US to develop a crush for India -- or so we think.
This crush -- or the necessity to show the ex (China) -- has made US bend its rules, even dance around and pardon India for conducting the nuclear tests. Even though the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty urges budding nation not get carried away with nuclear fission and fusion, thats exactly what India did. Like other disobedient countries India faced a "slap on the wrist" sanctions and that was rescinded by President Bush, whi had a grand idea.
With Bush calling signals, US started dating India. And now that the date is beyond "share our door-key" relationship, US bends some more to accomodate an increasingly spoiled blonde -- India.
There are two scenarios where lovers give and take, in plutonic love like the Brits have with US and the Radical Islamists have with terrorism or the mutual prom time love, where each partner gets air-time for making waves with an unlikely receptor -- a la Jenn Anniston and Brad Pitt.
From a truly selfish point, this is a sweet-heart deal for India, it gets to break the Non-Proliferation treaty, it gets to develop and test Nukes in secrecy and not get referred to International Atomic Agency and it also gets the trade embargo rescinded and finally -- for some whipped cream on your starbucks chocolate coolatta -- India gets the "knowledge" for civil usage of nuclear technology and alternate fuel.
The NPT - for starters - is what the political community calls a "carrot and stick" approach. You obey international laws you get help, you disobey international laws your funds get cut and trades stopped. A simple effective treatment that has prevented or delayed many rogue nations -- looking at you Axis of Evils -- from getting the wrong technology for the wrong use.
Now, NPT, is not only a simple law, its a fundamental agreement, something that was looked upon with respect for its effectiveness. The US for its own purpose -- of getting a balancing power to China -- is amenable to break this law as an exception.
Wow.. thats sweet if i look at it as an Indian, but makes me fear if for one fleeting minute i look at it as a citizen of the world. Now whats going to prevent some other rogue nation from pointing India as an example who broke the treaty and benefitted from it too?
The plan to avoid Nuclear explosive material from getting to the wrong person will be compromised by this ridiculous sweet heart deal that Condoleeza Rice and George Bush are polishing. What is to say India -- once attaining the high cliff of counter-Chinese ally -- will favor US always, whats to say India is not vulnerable to its brittle anti-US Communist and Left parties.
President Bush with his "one grand" plan is landing ths US in "one major pickle".
President Clinton broke the ice after a frosty time following the 98' Nuclear bomb tests in Pokhran,India. Clinton, the darling of millions of Indians, both during and after his presidency, is a man much appreciated and loved -- deified --in India. Particularly, his charity work in India and other third world countries are legendary. I still recollect the Clinton craze in the early part of this decade when Bollywood cine-stars started naming their condos the "White House".
A lot has to do with the westernization of India, you find people listening to rap and hip-hop in posh cities and trying to be as American as possible. Yes, India does have an American love affair. This love affair was borne from the yearning, the younger generation has for quality life and the gap between dream and reality -- corruption and poverty and illetracy -- in India (although thanks to BPO, the urban population are getting their corns now).
Naturally when various New-Polls found President Bush as an amicable man, this was more a reflcetion of what Indians feel about America. Oggling America is now of the past, mating and dating is the new theme. The sense of confidence, bashfully and quite reflective, of Indians -- aided by -- the orgy of jobs that American firms tend to throw at hopeful graduates facilitates this unlikely romance between US and India.
Well, it is a love-affair, for only in love affairs do we make exceptions, do we ease or even lose - if worthy -- our views and perceptions and our "donts" in favor of a romantic partner or so America hopes. Love-affairs can be blissful and poisonous, can be heaven and hell -- potential partners, have to agree to disagree and hopefuly not disagree to agree.
Ironically, its the "disagree to agree" affair that China and US had that made US ditch China for a India. India, wisely, went to the beauty parlor -- manufactured nukes -- and built herself into a beauty -- with bombs -- and looked attractive enough for the US to develop a crush for India -- or so we think.
This crush -- or the necessity to show the ex (China) -- has made US bend its rules, even dance around and pardon India for conducting the nuclear tests. Even though the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty urges budding nation not get carried away with nuclear fission and fusion, thats exactly what India did. Like other disobedient countries India faced a "slap on the wrist" sanctions and that was rescinded by President Bush, whi had a grand idea.
With Bush calling signals, US started dating India. And now that the date is beyond "share our door-key" relationship, US bends some more to accomodate an increasingly spoiled blonde -- India.
There are two scenarios where lovers give and take, in plutonic love like the Brits have with US and the Radical Islamists have with terrorism or the mutual prom time love, where each partner gets air-time for making waves with an unlikely receptor -- a la Jenn Anniston and Brad Pitt.
From a truly selfish point, this is a sweet-heart deal for India, it gets to break the Non-Proliferation treaty, it gets to develop and test Nukes in secrecy and not get referred to International Atomic Agency and it also gets the trade embargo rescinded and finally -- for some whipped cream on your starbucks chocolate coolatta -- India gets the "knowledge" for civil usage of nuclear technology and alternate fuel.
The NPT - for starters - is what the political community calls a "carrot and stick" approach. You obey international laws you get help, you disobey international laws your funds get cut and trades stopped. A simple effective treatment that has prevented or delayed many rogue nations -- looking at you Axis of Evils -- from getting the wrong technology for the wrong use.
Now, NPT, is not only a simple law, its a fundamental agreement, something that was looked upon with respect for its effectiveness. The US for its own purpose -- of getting a balancing power to China -- is amenable to break this law as an exception.
Wow.. thats sweet if i look at it as an Indian, but makes me fear if for one fleeting minute i look at it as a citizen of the world. Now whats going to prevent some other rogue nation from pointing India as an example who broke the treaty and benefitted from it too?
The plan to avoid Nuclear explosive material from getting to the wrong person will be compromised by this ridiculous sweet heart deal that Condoleeza Rice and George Bush are polishing. What is to say India -- once attaining the high cliff of counter-Chinese ally -- will favor US always, whats to say India is not vulnerable to its brittle anti-US Communist and Left parties.
President Bush with his "one grand" plan is landing ths US in "one major pickle".
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