Congratulations !

Sachin, you are a prodigy.  Your double hundred in ODI is a real inspiration.  This record is a proof for anyone that age doesn't count.  All it counts is the hardwork, talent, and above all the passion for the game.  You are passionate about cricket, and we are passionate of you.

Congratulations and keep going.

Sports in India and Spotlight on media

Startled Fact:

I was bowled over by the US media coverage, while watching the Vancouver winter olympics.  The TV channel broadcasting the olympics was constantly boasting its US athletes along with the show.  Whether the player was a star or not, didn't matter.  The channel was obsessed with each and every US athlete who was competing.  Small interviews of those players, their background, about their families, their hardwork and everything was presented in a capsule at regular intervals during the entire telecast of the olympics.

Disgusting Fact:
I am unable to refrain from comparing this, with the Indian media.  Cricket is the only sport that gets the attention of the media.  Other sports doesn't get the due consideration, they deserve.  In US too, baseball and american football outshine games like soccer.  But, that doesn't mean soccer is left out.  Still, soccer is being given the importance.  But, in India, situation is poles apart.  Each sportsman or sport, instead of competing among themselves, first should compete against Cricket to gain identity.  Competition must be within a sport, not between two different sports.  Such is the Cricket's media coverage.  It's pathetic, to say the least.

Whose Responsibility ?

Let Cricket be the richest sport in India.  Let sachin be worshipped as God.  At the same time, other sports also should be respected.  Otherwise, no point in crying "India is not winning much medals in the olympics".  Though it is everybody's responsibility for recognizing other sports.  Media is the first to be blamed.   Nobody needs enlightenment about the power of media.  Questions that a common man is afraid to put to the government, can be effortlessly raised by the media.  The command and power of media is vast.  Alas, it is not being used for virtuous matters.

There is a unwritten rule, that only the news channels like NDTV, IBN, Aaj Tak etc. should be focussed on such things.  The other regional channels are pretty content with their ever crying serials and admiring the filmdom and filmstars.  Its very shameful.  What's wrong in advertising a show like "For the first time in Indian telecast show, an interview with Saina Nehwal, the new badminton sensation" and captioning the interview with the regional language.   Only when you sow, you can reep.  Likewise, only when the channels telecast such shows, people will be attracted towards the sport and patronage for that sport will boost.  

Advantage India:
When such shows are telecasted, things can only be positive.  Saina Nehwal could become an inspiration for a local girl in Madurai.  It is simple.  If you keep worshipping film stars for 24x7 in the local channels, it is very likely that the local lads will only aspire to be film stars.  Day in and day out, they will be dreaming only about films. What a crime?  Instead, if the TV channels, broadcast programs on all sports, it will certainly kindle the sportsman inside them.
Such programs can reinforce the unity in diversity amongst us.

Disheartening Fact:
Our Indian media has a long way to go, to really do meaningful feats that can serve in the development of our country.  Current TV channels only motto is to gross money and improve their TRP ratings.  Few channels motto is to promote their political party. This should change.

Inspiring Facts:
Last but definitely not the least, congratulations to the following sportsmen on their recent triumph in the year 2009. 

Yuki Bhambri wins junior Australian Open

• Gutta and Diju win at Chinese Taipei:

• Saina Nehwal:First Indian to win BWF Super Series

• India won the Nehru Cup football for the second time in a row

• Bronze at World Boxing Championships

• Devvarman became the first Indian to be in the main draw of a Grand Slam singles tournament since Prakash Amritraj in 2002

To summarize, I had to do an internet search to come up with the above list. It's a pity.

3 Idiots: Review

Can't remember, when was the last time, I watched such a good movie.   This movie is a refresher amongst the usual sterotype movies.   The crux of the movie is about the education system in India and its effects on the students.  It focuses on the things that has to be improved or reconsidered in our education system.

The entire movie has nuggets of good ideas, advices, good thoughts spread throughout. My favourites of them: 

All izzzz well:
    The movie preaches to follow the attitude of staying positive in tough times.  No matter, whatever happens, don't take it too much to the heart.  Tell the heart that "All izzzz well".  

Flaws in Indian Education System:
     The movie very funnily brings out a few flaws in our education system.  All these flaws were pointed out in a lighter sense, but has to be looked at in a serious sense.

• The side effects of the habit of memorizing, without understanding.
• The ugly policy of degrading the students based on marks. 
• The ill effects of the stress created on the students to score good marks.
• Publishing the marks in a notice board.  It may be a proud moment for the bright student, but what about the one who got low marks ?  How would his emotions be, on seeing the low marks ?  Do we ever care about such students ?  Spare a thought for them also.

Marks is not everything:
     There is a character by name Silencer(nickname).  His whole character in this movie is to stress that marks is not everything in life.  See the movie, to understand further.

Do, what you want to do:
     The movie sheds light on the common problem that exists in India.  Typical Indian parents, override the ambitions of their young ones, when choosing their career path.  The movie, subtly explains the parents about this mistake and corrects them to let their young ones choose their own career.

 Putting into practice:
     Anything that is learnt, is of no use, until it is of use to someone or put into practice.  Being conceited of having earned  many degrees and many medals, makes no sense.  Apply the lessons learnt, put them into practice, as there is a no better way of appreciating what you have learnt.  This is best explained in the crucial scenes of heroine's sister giving birth to a kid.

All in all, a humorous and a thought provoking welcome movie.

Customer satisfaction: Does everybody get it ?

A colleague of mine had bought a 40" LCD Television in the year 2006.  He had a warranty of 2 years, which expired in 2008.  Six months earlier, the television screen had a vertical line popping up and it was very distracting to watch the TV.   As the warranty was also expired, he could do nothing about it.  But then, he gave a try and called the seller and explained the problem with the TV.  First, they directed him to a repair company.  But, the guys in the repair company gave up, describing that the problem is too complicated and that he has to replace his TV.  He called the seller again and conveyed this.  The seller immediately asked him to bring his TV back and get the cash back. 

The highlight of this entire episode was, he was treated, just like any other customer, when he was returning his TV, which was bought almost 3 years back and got the entire cash back.  This is "Customer Satisfaction".  The fact that the customer has spent around $1000 and the product has a defect after 3 years, implies that the customer is unsatisfied.  Hence, the seller recalled the product and returned his money back.    Had the TV had this defect after, say 5 or 6 years, it may be a different case.  But, considering his scenario, this is a perfect example of customer satisfaction.   This has to be appreciated.

On the other side, there are instances, where a customer will get different treatment, in a similar scenario.  The seller will just blame it on the customer for the defect and would seldom heed to customer's voice.  Customer satisfaction is just being uttered by the sellers, but not truly practiced.  In certain places, the term Customer Satisfaction will expire, the moment you buy that product.  Until then, the marketing/sales person will answer all your questions patiently, will wait for your decision to buy, even if it takes days or weeks.  Once you have bought the product, you are not even a customer, forget about customer satisfaction.

I can only wish, such customer satisfaction enjoyed by my colleague, be practiced by each and every seller.  Be it a small petty shop or a huge electronic store.