aditya kumar's weblog

In case you may want to listen to this song, drop me an email and I shall send it across :)

Note:This was written on my way to Goa, about 2 weeks ago.

In the long journeys that I undertook for 2 years when I travelled from Indore to Goa during my graduation, I hardly remember travelling on a confirmed ticket. Most of the times I was at the mercy of fellow passengers (Heck, I have even travelled in the Pantry car). But for going home, pains could be taken, should be taken. Scorching sun up above baked the land around me in a shade of plain brown, as Mangla Express paved its way through the Konkan landscape.

The most awaited station in the 36 hour itinerary was Ratnagiri, almost 3 hours before Goa. Ratnagiri was (and is) the only main station on the Konkan track before the train touched Goa. It became almost like a custom, buying myself a 500ml Coca-Cola pet bottle with 2 vada-paus at Ratnagiri. That signified a celebration of sorts. Since it was the only main station before Goa, this was almost homecoming. I could spend all my money at Ratnagiri and not care a thing. As there was no big station throughout the journey, I would be too hungry by the time Ratnagiri came. Besides, starved of Vada-Paus in Indore, here was a treat to have and nothing less.

I am currently going home and writing this in the train, from Bangalore to Goa. So if you are reading this, that means this sloppy, shaky handwriting has finally made it to the blog.

The 14 hour train journeys that I usually undertake to go home to Goa usually happen in the nights. Bombay, Pune or Bangalore, all trains to Goa are usually in the night. There is this certain thing, about travelling by train in the night. It is so much in contrast to a day journey. If you take out the chorus generated by the metal wheels clanging with the shiny tracks, the odyssey is mostly quiet and sometimes full of questions. In the middle of the night, on a railway platform, the only evidence of a (not so) orderly world is the occasionaly chai-wala, booming full of enthusiasm, almost running on the empty veranda. At this odd hour, he is the busiest businessman around, seeking to sell a cup of tea to a train full of asleep people who are conveniently oblivious to something as basic as his existence.

I look out of the window, see the black, moonless sky full of stars and constellations. Far away, I see a hut, or so it seems, with a single bulb burning bright. There is no other light in sight, no other evidence of man’s mediation with nature. If there could be a middle of nowhere, this would be it. I look at it, as it slowly passes by the horizon and I wonder how would it be to be there.

With no pantry car in the train, I wonder what I would be eating for dinner. The train arrives at Davangere and I am able to lay my hands on a soft drink bottle. It seems under these circumstances, this is my best bet. Just then when the hopes are about to fade away, comes a railway-catering man selling Lemon rice, neatly packaged in newspaper sheets. Before I know, I give in and find myself asking for one of those. This is Godsent. A chai-wala hops in too and eyeing a prospective customer in me, comes forward, offers me a cup gesturing towards the kettle he is carrying. I, too glad to have the lemon rice in my posession gesture towards the soft drink bottle on my right. So, we are even. He breaks into a smile, carries on, his shrill voice, chanting “chai-chai”, guranteed to overstep in the sleepy worlds of the people around him.

In my graduation days, I listened to the audio tape of “Mtv Unplugged: Bryan Adams” so much that it finally broke down and I had to buy a new one.

I also once owned the URL www.summerof69.net. I spent a lot of time and efforts to make a website dedicated to the singer :)

So, when I was told that the Canadian was touring India, and Bangalore to be specific, I thought, wow.

Oh, the pleasures of living in this city. Last year, Sting and now Bryan Adams.

I am going for the concert in the evening :)

This, below, in 2001, one of my dedications to the rock star. 0.5mm 2B on Plain Paper :)

Uma’s post has won the first prize for the the “Can Conquer Cancer” Initiative. My post and Dave’s writeup here, won the second prize (it was a tie :) The results can be seen here.

I wish to thank the people involved in this initiative. It has been an effort, full of positivity. And, as I have said before, to conquer this disease, being positive is half the battle won.

As you may have noticed, with the results announced, I am in such fine company. I am honored, and I don’t know what more to say. It was a surprise, my name there!

Thank you, everyone.

NO Plot/Story Spoiler ahead, so read ahead, don’t worry :)

I watched the movie, first day, second show at Goa’s Inox multiplex. Rang De Basanti (the title of the movie name constantly reminds me of the Radiocity Bangalore DJ, Basanthi),like the other, new-generation, “good” movies carries most of those attributes that one relates the modern times with — Slick photography, Brilliant cinematography and camerawork with awesome music score (well, most of it) but lacks where it matters — The story.

I don’t know what’s up with these new-age directors. Screenplay, music, camerawork, all top class. They can make anything look so good! If you consider movies like Swades, Paheli and now, Rang de Basanti, you will see that how much they have stressed on India, it’s values, it’s people, the culture. Just when we thought that the focus had almost entirely shifted on urban India, we see the Indian countryside and the villages and they look refreshed like never before. Colorful, full of energy. And suddenly you want to be there. The next coming weekend, you want to explore the outskirts of the city, maybe go on the highway, find a dhaba and eat lunch.

But then where do movies like these go wrong? They mess up with something very basic. Most of the times, the casualty is the storyline. Making everything look beautiful and modern, they try a little too hard and in the process, go off the basics of movie making. It’s like eating special bhelpuri with almost no salt. Get what I mean? Rang de Basanti (RDB) is no different. But then again, it’s not at all bad.

It is clear that the makers of RDB want to give a message to the youth, in the youth’s own language, own style. In that sense, I thought it is very similar to Maniratnam’s Yuva. I thought RDB falters because the message to attain a purpose is given alright, but the means to achieve that purpose is wrong. A few more details, and I would be spoiling your movie, so I stop here :)

Final verdict: Even though most of the story actually happens post intermission, it’s a movie to watch. It has got enough positives to buy a ticket and watch it in the theatre (with Dolby!). AR Rehman’s music adds a whole perspective in itself. And one more thing — The perfomances by the actors are worth not just to be seen, but experienced. (Another complaint though, I thought the much acclaimed, Atul Kulkarni could have done with a more demanding role. He is such a delight to watch and he makes most of the screentime that he gets). RDB is not a “just-Amir-Khan-all-the-way” movie. Watch it.

So, the BCCI is finally considering having its own channel. Old readers might recall, this is exactly what I had mentioned here, in a post written in 2004.

BCCI, now wants to promote “Brand” BCCI. The channel is a step in that direction. What does the channel mean to the common man? Will it be available free-to-air? You gotta be kidding if you think that would be the case, how will the BCCI earn money then? So stupid of me to even think on those lines. Afterall, BCCI is the richest of all cricket boards in the world (and also was once stupid enough to suggest that ‘Team India’ is actually not representing India, but BCCI…and I think that was one of the early signs of success and money going into BCCI’s head)

Let’s take a closer look on how does the cricket television rights war hits the “common man”.

For a cricket fan, the only question that matters is — Will s/he be able to watch cricket on a free-to-air channel (read DD) or not. Whether the cricket is on at Ten Sports, Zee Sports, ESPN or Sony – it does not make a difference.

In the cases when cricket can be viewed on Doordarshan, it is usually a “sharing” arrangement between the Cable Channel and DD. When that doesn’t happen, it is the common man’s cricket that looses.

What will BCCI’s new channel add to this? Fuel to the fire.

BCCI will just retain the allocation of the cricket feed rights to itself. Whether it would be available for Prasar Bharti (DD’s momma company) is going to be decided, most probably, in one of the courts in our country, a few days before each tour begins. Back to square one. I hope I am proved wrong.

Cricket, in India, is a big cow that milks money. BCCI is the owner. They certainly have started acting as if they are the owners of the game worldwide. Example, they say that India shall not participate in The ICC Champions trophy. Why? It’s not economically feasible. According to Cricinfo:

“BCCI made fairly clear signals that it did not support the ICC fund-raising concept which it believed reduced its own earning potential.”

” ‘We’re not free in October in 2007, 2008 or 2009,” BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi told reporters on Monday. “We have made our position clear to the ICC many times. If others want to play, they can, but why should we play in October?’ ”

So the Governing Body of the Game can go to hell. I believe that ICC has always been a very weak body. But BCCI has made a mockery of what remained of The ICC.

Want more? BCCI shall not host Bangladesh in India for a test series because it is not “economically feasible”. So will India be playing Bangladesh? Yes, India would be touring Bangladesh next year. More From Mr.Bindra:

” ‘They make more money by our going there. If they come to India, they will get only meal allowance. If we go there they make huge television revenue and title sponsorship.’ ”

More here

It’s a clear case of making money at the cost of Cricket. The BCCI has decided that it does not need to venture into anything that doesn’t bring them money. Money is the name of the game. (BCCI’s former president prefers to call it “Professionalism”) So, by that logic, they should stop organising first class matches altogether. After all, first class cricket is not known for generating revenue.

Where does the money go? Our first class cricketers play to empty stands and still travel by train you know. Uhh.. there was some talk about “transparency” too, when Mr Pawar came to hold the BCCI reigns, err…what about it?

This is late, in fact I did not even know that today is the last day for blog-voting at Indibloggies. Awards for the best of Indian Blogs for the year that has just passed by. I have just voted :)

And I shall be clear about whom I have voted for. Here are the categories, and my choice:

The best Indiblog of 2005
Uma’s Indianwriting

Select the Best Topical IndiBlog of 2005
Sonia Faleiro

Select the Best Group Blog of 2005
Desipundit

Select the Best IndiBlog directory/service/clique of 2005
Desipundit

I did not have to think twice while making these choices, the people associated with these blogs are wonderful people and write inspiringly well. I know that.

If you are a blogger as well, then please, please go and vote! Today is the last day!