Holi: Festival of Color

India is a land of festivals and HOLI is just a one of them. Probably the least religious one. Holi is celebrated all over the india since ancient times; generally during Holi, Hindus attend a public bonfire, spray friends and family with colored powders and water.

Originally, Holi was an agricultural festival celebrating the arrival of spring. This aspect still plays a significant part in the festival in the form of the colored powders: Holi is a time when man and nature alike throw off the gloom of winter and rejoice in the colors and liveliness of spring. For most Hindus it provides a temporary opportunity to disregard social norms and indulge in merrymaking.

But there are more than one Hindu mythology events that drives this colorful festival. Lets put some light how are those mythological events and how they drives this festival.

First event: In mythological period, there was an evil king named Hiranyakashipu. He forbade his son Prahlad who was a believer of God, from worshipping Vishnu (God). The king tried several cruel efforts to stop his son but Prahlad continued to do offer prayers to the god. Getting angry with his son, Hiranyakashipu challenged Prahlad to sit on a pyre with his wicked aunt Holika who was believed to be immune to fire. Prahlad accepted the challenge and prayed to Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, everyone watched in amazement as Holika was burnt to death, while Prahlad survived without a scar to show for it. The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi. According to some accounts, Holika begged Prahlad for forgiveness before her demise, and he decreed that she would be remembered every year at Holi.

Second Event: Lord Shiva, one of the major Hindu gods, is known for his meditative nature and his many hours spent in solitude and deep meditation. Madana, the God of love, decided to test his resolve and appeared to Shiva in the form of a beautiful nymph. But Shiva recognized Madana and became very angry. In a fit of rage he shot fire out of his third eye and reduced her to ashes. This is also sometimes given as the basis of Holi festival.

Third event: The festival of Holi is also associated with the enduring love between Lord Krishna (an incarnation of Vishnu) and Radha (Krishna's love interest). According to legend, the young Krishna complained to his mother Yashoda about why Radha was so fair and he so dark. Yashoda advised him to apply colour on Radha's face and see how her complexion would change. Because of this associated with Krishna, Holi is extended over a longer period in Vrindavan and Mathura, two cities with which Krishna is closely affiliated.

The first and second event definitely work as a basis of the Holi bonfire. On the evening of the first day of Holi, a public bonfire is held, commemorating the burning of Holika. The fire is lit sometime between 10 PM and midnight (at the rising of the moon). But the central ritual of Holi is the throwing and applying of colored water and powders on friends and family, which gives the holiday its common name "Festival of Colors". This ritual is said to be based on the above story of Krishna and Radha. Krishna's followers everywhere find special meaning in the joyous festival as the color play is considered to be in imitation of Krishna's play with the gopis (wives and daughters of cowherds) including Radha. But most of all it celebrates the coming of spring with all its beautiful colors and vibrant life.

In Bengal region, Holi features the Dolayatra (Swing Festival), in which images of the gods are placed on specially decorated platforms and devotees take turns swinging them. In the meantime, women dance around and sing special songs as men spray colored water at them.

Context is different, way of celebration is different! But the whole India celebrates this occasion with equal passion & vivacity. People celebrates this occasion overcoming the different social norms. That is what really signifies the importance of this festival in our life.

ICL: Should it be recognized by boards?

Its a pretty interesting phase for the game of cricket and for the cricket lovers. Firstly, introduction of the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and then following the same context the Indian Premiere League (IPL). And not to mention their interesting rivalry. Now, IPL is backed by all the cricket boards and ICC to counter the ICL which is tagged as rebel league. Question is, as a cricket lover or a cricket goer what is your take? Would you really like to call ICL a rebel league while terming IPL the valid one.

Quite a long back, one of the famous cricket writer commented that no other business can match cricket in India. In a country where 'cricket' is the religion and 'cricketers' are the GOD, its not surprising that such a comment is very much apt and true. Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) is one of the richest organization in the world after the famous era of the former president Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya. He did the real magic and brought money not only to the BCCI or ICC but to the game of 'Cricket'. Today if you look at the office bearers of the organization or even at the state level boards, you can understand why the big names including the politicians and ministers are so interested in capturing the top slot in the organization; why those persons meant to do some other works are spending their valuable times campaigning for their candidates in the board elections. Its all about money; if somebody says that his only goal is the development of cricket in that particular state or in India....excuse me!!! its not the only; it must be coupled with the intention of making money. Sometime I really wonder how the chief minister or an important central minister can get involved.

So to capture the immense potential of the Indian market Zee group came up with a very interesting concept of the domestic cricket league. I am not honest if I say that this concept has nothing for development of the Indian cricket. Of course, it has immense potential to develop the Indian cricket as well. Looking at the success of big European football leagues, ICL was a great idea indeed. My point is...boss, let them make money; but do something good for the game. And ICL does so. They are putting money into game, giving young players a real chance to work and learn with the world famous players, developing the cricket infrastructures. And in that sense they deserve the real kudos.

But our board personnel has their own idea. How can they tolerate any other organization doing better business and making more money than them. Its really nice to see the BCCI increasing the match fees for the domestics tournaments. Also increasing the fees for match referees and umpires, increasing prize money of domestic tournaments. Very much welcome idea indeed. But point is that does BCCI really need something like ICL to make these decision? Had there been no ICL, BCCI would have still taken these steps. The richest board of the world needs a reminder to do good work for the game of cricket. Shame on this.

Then BCCI introduces the IPL; It may be for making money; may be for doing good to cricketers and to cricket; may be just to counter with ICL. Whatever it is IPL emerged more colorful as expected. Things like IPL is much more welcome. Some people including players did not like the idea of the auction; but I would say, for the first time that's alright but second edition onwards clubs should do all the business with players. Now IPL got the support from all the cricket boards. Considering the powerful image of the BCCI it was not unexpected. That means, all boards through out the world sanction a notice to their players stating that they have full right to play in IPL but not in ICL. Players were reprimanded: whoever will join the ICL would lose the right to play for his country. What a stupidity? As a cricketer why should one interact with all those dirty politics?

Any cricketer has full right to play his cricket - be it for ICL or be it for IPL. In this era of professionalism its really upsetting to see the rule makers of cricket are making these absurd rules. In europe, a footballer can play for any of the clubs in any of the league - be it La liga or be it premiership or be it serie A. Then why a cricketer can not play for the league he wants to.
Its a loss for the cricket lovers to miss the action of players like Shane Bond, Andrew Hall, Macmillan, Kemp, Lui Vincent and so many. One may argue with the age of the players playing in ICL; but can any body argue with their quality? And what about the young bloods like Rayaduu or Jhunjhunwala? They were the future of the Indian cricket and we would miss them definitely.
In many other parts of the world, cricketers are not as highly paid as in India. Take New Zealand for an example. Playing cricket for livelihood is not that easy. Their board is neither that rich. For them, ICL was an opportunity to make some money and to make safe their future. What is wrong in that if a professional player wants to ensure his family future? And none has the right to stop them to do so.

BCCI along with other cricket boards are trying to monopolise the game of cricket. BCCI is an independent organization and responsible for its own constitution. But it has no right to tweak the game of cricket. If somebody has some better idea, why they should not accept that for the betterment of the game? As a private organization the cricket boards have no right to stop a player from playing for his own country if he is qualified enough.

I understand the need of a organization like BCCI; but there must be something to which these office bearers must be accountable. There must be some entity who would act to stop all these dirtiness to put the interest of the country above all the other things. There is no way some people would be allowed to play with the 'religion' of the cores of the cricket lovers. I understand, this entity should be Indian government in this case. But as number of big names and politicians are involved in the BCCI that is not also happening.

Now lets get back to the big question. What do you think as a cricket lover; should players participating in ICL be allowed to play for their countries? Should they be allowed to take part in all other domestic tournaments? Most importantly, should they be treated as a cricketer and allowed to play cricket?

IFA shield: Revive the Glory!

IFA shield is the fourth oldest football tournament in the world organized by Indian Football Association annually. Chronologically, this tournament (started in 1893) is placed after englisg FA cup, Scottish FA cup and Durand cup. But in an age when steps are taken to revive the glory of the FA cups IFA shield is losing its value and jeal.

Currently another edition of the IFA shield is being organized in Kolkata in a miserable manner; AIFF failed to find a regular slot in its calendar for this historic football tournament. So it has been carelessly placed at the end of the season when players are tired and suffering from lack of motivation. Players are more concerned about their transfer talks for next season. Even the fixture is also a point of concern. The organizers got to start this in two days of completion of the I-league and the fixture is too dense to breath. One club is playing six matches in twelve days. This probably speaks everything out.

Not only calendar and schedule, this tournament is not finding a stadium or venue either. Hence, its being organized in a scattered way- in multiple number of not so famous and small stadiums. A tournament which has participants from outside of india is organized in the most unprofessional manner. This surely is not conveying a very good message to the world football fraternity. AIFF, IFA, Govt.: are you listening?

Who is responsible for this mismanagement and organization failure? To be frank, this spoil sport is not any single entity's mission. Sports ministry, Football association, State police, the army, the organizers are all playing their part of irresponsibility and unprofessionalism in demeaning this football tournament.

Firstly, Indian Football Association, the organizer has a very poor set up and infrastructure in place and as a result they failed to convince the AIFF to provide a slot for this tournament at a better time in the middle of the season. Neither AIFF is providing any support to revive this tournament. When english FA cup is being given utmost importance (by allowing champion to participate at european stage, by tagging it major domestic knock out tournament) the AIFF's approach to this tournament is really pathetic and unprofessional.

Next its turn of the state government sport ministry; it may sound very funny but true that state government's ministers play a major role to decide which event would be organized in a 'football stadium'. And more unfortunately they are giving some other non football events more priority than this football tournament. It really hurts and questions the conscience and responsibility of the concerned entities; Can you imagine, in a football stadium like Yuva Bharati Kriyangan, some other non football events are given more priority over a historic football tournament.

Organizer plans for a different venue and now its turn of the indian army to show their spade; they choose this particular time frame for the repairing work of the stadiums. And you can not really blame them because these stadiums are owned by them and they rarely care about the IFA shield.

In the midst of all the indiscipline even if some inappropiate stadiums are choosen and a fixture is set; police has their own problem in that. You must change your schedule as police can not provide right number of personnels for security and safety.

Now you can understand, where is the IFA shield heading forward? But is that all? Is there so solution to this problem? Cant this tournament be given a new life? Yes, its possible; only a little bit logical thinking and responsibilty from the concerned parties can do this trick.

AIFF president and office bearer are repeatedly speaking out of professionalizing of the indian football. Now its time to act for them. They must put a professional structure in our football. As a part of this approach, they must prepare the annual football calendar keeping all the famous football tournament in mind. The way all the big football nations are slotting their domestic knock out in between league and international committments is really cool. AIFF must follow such kind of approach in their calendar. They must provide all kind of supports and encouragement in organizing this tournament.

Government personnel must not mix up their politics and sports at all. That is really dangerous. Government must take step to ensure that all the big clubs has their own staduims. And in football stadium, football must be given the highest priority. The army and other concerned parties must act in bit more sensibile way. Police should also be much more efficient and their availability must be out of question. They shoulc also give priority to the games and sports section.

Its very much feasible; just require honest and responsible efforts from all the concerned groups.Now big question: is there any taker for these thoughts? Or would we be losing the presigious tournament with time.

Budget 08: Are you happy?

Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram presented his fifth Budget in Parliament on Friday, 29th february, 2008.How was this budget? Millions of words and tons of paper are being consumed in a debate whether this budget is election oriented.

Though election oriented budget usually is not fruitful, political parties still stick with that policy. This budget is also an election oriented and hence brings good news for general public - lower and middle class. But at the same time this budget has few things which really pose a doubt about its election driven nature. But this budget does not really fulfill the long term vision for india and indians. Neither the given benefits nor the plans & policies adapted is for tomorrow's india. That means, looking at my wallet I am really over the moon; but thinking about the tomorrow all colors seem to be pale.

Farmers and agriculture were hitting the top of the list in every discussion, every analysis in recent times. No wonder, this sector is the strongest of all and has the largest vote bank. Apart from the mean political interst, this sector really deserves a thoughful & responsible attention. To keep the supply line of the country intact this sector must be taken care of. This budget waived debts of marginal & small farmers fully which cost Rs. 60000 crore. This is a real good news for those who are keeping our economy up and moving. But at the same time, complete waiver is really a concern; farmers would be waived of their debt this time, but what about tomorrow; can indian government give this kind of waiver again & again? This is a real threat to tomorrow's agriculture sector itself. Probably 'Gramin bank' model would have been the better solution; rather giving prompt & temporary medication, permanent and stable solution to the problem would have been a better and more welcome idea. Can our economy take the risk posed by this step?

Another aspect of the budget make the middle class salaried people really happy is the revised tax slab and tax exemption. New tax slabs will be: 10 per cent for Rs 150,000 to Rs 300,000, 20 per cent for Rs 300,000 to Rs 500,000 and 30 per cent above Rs 500,000. Salaried middle class has thing to rejoice. As people in india are paying taxes more regularly now and number of tax payers are going high this revised tax slab can be absorbed easily. For women and senior citizens too it got better. For women, the income tax limit goes up from Rs 1.45 lakh to Rs 1.80 lakh. In case of senior women citizens, it increases from Rs 1.95 lakh to Rs 2.25 lakh. But looking at the number of tax payers compared to the total voters, can you really call this an election oriented step?

Few more aspects which would make the middle class life easier are chaper consumer goods, cheaper life saving drugs, cheaper small car etc. Food items can also availed at cheaper rate. These would give some kind of relief to the salaried people. Defence sector, Education sector all got an increased budget quite expectedly; Reasonable amount has been reserved for women and children. Rs 50 crore has been alotted for 'Tiger Saving' projects (note, tigers are not counted as voters!!). These all sounds good. But at the same time the real question is do we have the required infrastructure to avail the most of these allocation. One may argue! But the hardest fact is that most of the allotted amount would never reach its target. Concerned officials and local political demons will suck all the juice before it reaches the real patient. This is well known now; even our minister and political leaders are aware of these. So probably this 'infrastructure' deserves attention along with these allocations.

With all the 'feel good' aspects there are a few which are enough to give you some uncomfort. You may bogged down with more electric bill; you may end up paying bit more for a new phone. IT sector is also not happy with their part.

So, you can put your point for and against of the topic. But coming across these cold room discussions, the burning question is: are you happy with this budget? As one of the billions of indian how this budget is gonna change your livelihood?