Terrible Times...

India is going through some low times off late. First there was the failure of the Agni missile, then the very next day the GSLV went down - the satellite and the effort of all the people who worked on it blown to bits.
But the worst disaster by far was obviously what happened in Mumbai. How pissed off do you need to be to decide to blow off the people around you?? I mean really......beyond the limited capabilities of my tiny brain (big head small brain) this is.

At least the mistake of 93 was not repeated...at least the city didn't go nuts...but I wonder if it is a case of showing greater tolerance or just the numbness, the indifference. I don't know what to do except shake my head...

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Came across an article that suggested a brilliant resolution to the school dropout problem. It suggested that grading for certain sections of the society should be discontinued in the subjects of Math and Science...I would have fallen off my chair laughing if the report had been talking about some other country but sadly it wasn't. The proposal apparently has been mooted by our own Minorities Commission. Well this is such a tempting issue for a long long rant...but I sadly I don't have the time...

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Now on to the blog ban...there is nothing new in governments seeking a ban on certain sites...but it would have been better if the government had done so in a more transparent manner...maybe then the ISPs would not have been too eager to impress the authorities by blocking the entire domain. I don't think the ban will last very long...but for the time being at least India has joined the group of nations actively indulging in internet censorship....China, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Ethiopia being the other major nations...
What was more annoying was the reaction of the media to it...polls were carried out...and people who can't differentiate blog from blob decided to vote that banning the blog was a good thing.

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Saw a show on Star World the other day…Rockstar Supernova…a bunch of has beens trying to form a rock band…the participants were just as 'interesting'…It was like watching American Idol With Eyeliner AND Tattoos :) The annoying bit was watching a lady literally massacring ‘Lithium’. But then at the end she started running around and jumping around like a mad man or woman……and it was annoying no more…;)

World Cup - Update 8

So the Saga has come to an end...a month of celebration has been brought to a close. It was good while it lasted and I am already looking forward to the next edition in S.Africa...

Italy has been crowned the winners for the 4th time. They were probably the best side in the championships...they scored goals and didn't conceed any, so I guess a worthy winner.

So a look at the last 2 games of the World Cup:-

July 8

1. Germany vs Portugal (3-1): Germans had more to play for and they played well. Portugal seemed dejected and as hard as they tried, they were never menacing enough. A second half charge led Germany to victory and to a third place finish at the 2006 World Cup.

July 9

1. Italy vs France (6-4 on Penalties): Italians were definitely better in the first half even though they went a goal down but all the other sessions clearly belonged to France who really impressed me. But in a Final that went the full distance for only the second time, it was the Italian side that held its nerve to be crowned the World Cahmpions. No point talking abt the Head Butt by Zidane on Materazzi, other than saying it was quite shocking and a sad way for a brilliant career to end.

So who won all the prizes?

GOLDEN SHOE AWARD WINNER - Miroslav Klose
Gillette Best Young Player award - Lukas Podolski (rightly so, Messi hardly played)
Yashin Award for the Best Goal Keeper - Gianluigi Buffon
Golden Ball - Zinedine Zidane (Fabio Cannavaro had to settle for the Silver Ball)
FIFA Fair Play Trophy - Shared by Brazil and Spain
Most Entertaining Side - Portugal (I preferred Germany)

The player who disappointed me the most - Ronaldinho (maybe too much football was to blame)
The player who impressed me the most - Lukas Podolski

World Cup - Update 7

Who would have thought that the two teams left in this edition would be Italy and France. Well I can't help but be amazed by the "Les Blues" entry in the finals. But that is just my opinion. Dubious penalty or not, Portugal never looked like scoring. Both teams have hardly conceded goals and I think whichever side takes the lead will fold shop.

So when it will be all said and done, when the referee will blow the final whistle who will be holding the trophy in the historic Olympic Stadium? Fabio Cannavaro of Italy or France's Zinedine Zidane? I will be rooting for Italy (well...I know what that means) coz they have been the more attractive side and they were superb against the Germans.

The semi-finals:-

July 04

1. Germany vs. Italy (0-2 in extra Time): ecstasy at one end of the field, heartbreak for the entire host nation. These were the amazing scenes at the end of the game. With the match set to go to penalties, Fabio Grosso scored to upset all calculations and a minute later Del Piero scored the killer blow. The Germans who have never beaten Italy in a world cup match were not their usual self and it was the "Azzuri" that did all the running and looked the more menacing side. It was by far their best performance so far.

But the Germans fans will still be happy with what they saw. In my opinion atleast, they were the most attractive side in this World cup Edition.

July 05

1. Portugal vs. France (0-1): France continued to defy logic and made it to the finals. Zizou was superb but I still can't say that for the entire French side. They are defensive and boring.

So what is left?

• Germany vs. Portugal - I think the Germans have more to play for and will win this.
• Italy vs. France - Italy has played well, except for two poor games against the US and Australia. They were superb against Germany and if they played that well again...they will surely win.

World Cup - Update 6

What a disaster!!!
No team from South America made it to the semi finals. The matches were hard fought but all teams were too cautious in my opinion - none more so than the two South American heavy weights Argentina and Brazil.
I think I should stop supporting Argentina if they are to have a chance at world cup glory. I have been following them since 1990 and they really don't have anything to show for in this period.

Two nerve-racking penalty shoot outs that brought out extreme and contrasting emotions in the fans of the respective teams really shows why this is the number one sport in the world.

June 30

1. Germany vs. Argentina (1-1, 4-2 on penalties): Heart break for Argentina. The coach resigned after the match, I think he was responsible for the team selected and the sub due manner in which they played the first half. The team minus Saviola and Messi looked lacking in ideas as Riquelme also had a mediocre game. Germans will be backing themselves to go all the way now.
2. Italy vs. Ukraine (3-0): Pretty much a one sided game, Italy romped home easily.

July 01

1. England vs. Portugal (0-0, 1-3 on penalties): England should have won this. They were generally the better side. Great defending by the Portuguese side saw them through.
2. Brazil vs. France (0-1): What a crappy performance from the defending champions. The French side inspired by the performance of Zidane hung on to the lead and probably caused the biggest upset in the championships. Match against Portugal will go down to the wire I think.

What’s coming up -

• Germany vs. Italy - Germany looks the better side and should win this, Italy has been solid as ever . It will be a close game.
• Portugal vs. France - I will be again backing the Portugal side (which probably means they will lose)