The year that flew by

It was a very tumultuous year and too many things happening around the world. Some good, most things not. Personally, the year was a good one for me, but I had to face a few losses that were quite dear, the biggest of it being MJ the king! Its such a saddening thought that in the same year that “providence” led ARR conquer the world, it took away from us another great. A loss that I guess even god cannot replace, there was just one masterpiece. Bright spots in the year was Arsenal moving along in the right direction, Sachin completing another year doing what he calls the best thing he knows to do, where one of the largest democracies in the world put a certain Mr. President in his rightful place etc. It was also a year of more violence and gore in oil rich countries, more deaths and infiltrations in Kashmir and the list of what’s not changed goes on and on

My Country of birth - However, television and TPR never lost its charm. Indian news channels continued to “establish and govern law and justice” and conducted trials live. Commissioner’s dog missing and cat running on the terrace still made news on the Hindi news lines. (Shame since a year more has passed in the India 2020 dreams and this is the kind of headlines) A year where ARR got an Oscar (the man in worth more) though Slumdog, I thought was neither worth the Oscars nor the ridiculous amount of publicity it got. Some fellow country men generated more mileage from it than they deserve

Telengana started what will now be a popular demand – new states!! India, now second to US in this, will soon surpass US and achieve the half century landmark. That’s like finding kryptonite for politicians in a country already divided and depleted by political powers that use caste and religion for gains god never could have imagined. A PIO won the Nobel Prize and thankfully no one bothered to dig his wardrobe for skeletons to bring him down (salute the achievement!!) Gay marriages became legal in parts of the country and was (of course) met with violence in various parts of the country. What I could not believe was when someone said this is a way to globalization, I fail to understand how and why!! The “Religious Police” showed strength by vandalizing women who club and drink with the same vigour they showed in opposing gay relationships

India proved yet again that it is a country with a plan – it was one of the countries least affected by recession. No drastic bail-outs, no using tax payer money for badly managed PSU’s etc. Indian brands made further acquisitions abroad, sports and screen stars were still big brands, commanding more prices than ever, people still continued to hero worship. Reality shows became more and more dreamy, a true sense of globalisation hit India when a certain show telecasted participants bathing in the forest, thankfully, dressed. The impact from western television was very apparent as most of these shows were clearly inspired (read completely based on) by similar shows in the western world. When half the country was busy watching newer and “progressive” thoughts on screen, crime, self-proclaimed “guerrilla”ism, crime against women, terrorism, violence in the name of religion and “goondaism” (the flavour of politics in this country) continued to flourish and grow!

World otherwise – My country of exile was dragged to the streets and all dirty laundry washed in front of informed minds for no great mistake of theirs. Certain sectors continued to be weak as it normally would under recession. However, not all is lost. When you run harder than the others to the stop line, you pant harder! And water from your spring or a neighbours is water all the same till you stop panting!

The year saw a lot of natural calamities, plane crashes, ferry sinkings etc. Volcanoes threatening to erupt, tectonic plates under constant duress and seas waiting to rise. A certain government took global warming to the next level by signing accords under sea, the place they claim where they will be. World over, fuel became cheaper and people burnt more of it. Carmakers sold more hybrid cars, flights charged fee (a voluntary payment at the time of booking) for afforestation, a word of guilt called “carbon footprint” was put in people’s minds hoping people will think twice

Barrack Obama was given a nobel, much to the wonder of the world, though he gracefully accepted it by saying it was for the work to be done. True considering not much has been done, though there are major improvements. Pakistan (including people caught on camera) continued to say that they never train people to commit crimes against India. More countries joined the EU and a common gulf currency moved farther away. Bail-out became the most used word and company top management continued to embrace capitalism and “all for one”

A year of major achievements in terms of my sporting favourite(s) marred by indiscretion in the personal lives of some of them that was given undue importance. Sachin and Jayasuriya finished 20 years of cricket (no achievement in itself) and my dear friend who is also a Lara worshipper said he started appreciating Sachin’s batting now (tome that’s bigger than what Sir Don said). Federer conquered more courts while his challenges came from non-nadal elements. Arsenal, mid-way, are a championship contender, Wenger may finally see some silverware!! The best news though was Schumi announcing his return next year and I’m thrilled!! Albeit the return is with a team I personally loathed hitherto!!

Welcome 2010!!! Have a lot to look forward to next year – personal, professional, sports, friends, politics, major world events, travel all included!! Here’s hoping glory to all and to all good health, Arsenal getting silverware, Schumi opening more champagne, Sachin a hundred hundreds in international cricket, travel fun and frolic and winning the lottery and a thousand other personal wishes!!!!

Have a great year ahead!!