Saturday, December 31, 2011

Goodbye 2011!

Wow, another year down! A look back on the best of some lighter moments: 

Best sporting moment: That MS Dhoni Six

Well ofcourse, it has to be India winning the WC, but the two personnel bests were (a) watching the semi finals live at Mohali and (b) watching the first ever Indian Grandprix at the Buddh International circuit.

Best of Travel: 

Added two new travel locations: 
  • North East - Assam and Tawang were breathtakingly beautiful !
  • Valley of Flowers - Recommend this fantastic trek
And an old one - Goa!

Will continue to explore this magnificently country with Kashmir firmly on top of the agenda this year.

Best gadget purchased:
But the coolest gadget I bought was a native union retro pop handset. Check it out here: http://www.nativeunion.com/hk/wiredproducts/popphone.html 
Apple gadget for the year was a ipod nano 

Best Movie going experience: Kung Fu Panda 2 
I am sucker for comedy movies and none came better than this one. Ah, my old enemy - Stairs .. Still funny!

A year of reckoning 
I believe that India has to get worse in order to become better. This year certainly got worse in India - corruption, inflation and complete failure of governance / reforms. But look at the positives - Raja, Kalmadi are in Jail; Anna Hazare and the Civil society are playing a much more active role. Youngster are voicing their views thanks to the social networks and I am sure in the years to come, we will play a more important role in laying a better foundation for the country. 

Few Firsts 
- Started this blog (though updating it has been a pain)
- Donated blood
- Watched almost an entire Parliamentary session live

While the year spent was personally satisfactory (Damn you Real Madrid!), have a lot more to look forward to the next year. And like the lyrics of this latest song:

Umeed waali dhoop, sunshine waali aasha ... Happy new year everyone!! ... nana nanana Khush rehney ka hai waada!!


Sunday, December 11, 2011

El Clasico Review - No. Not yet.

Timing of the fixture

When the Clasico was announced for Saturday, the first thing I checked was to see when the two clubs are playing in the midweek. To my disappointment, it was Madrid on Wednesday, while Barcelona played on  Tuesday. Moreover, Madrid traveled to Amsterdam to play Ajax while Barcelona were at home. In such a scenario it surely made sense to have the match on Sunday! Just two days to prepare - surely a match of this importance deserved better.

That both Real and Barcelona had qualified in the champions league with a game to spare meant that this was not such a big issue, but Mourinho for some reason started with quite a few stars that night - including Kaka, Benzema and Higuain. Even Alonso came off the bench to play a part in the game. What was the necessity for them to even travel before such a big fixture, I still cannot fathom. On the other side, Pedro was the only possible Clasico starter to feature on Tuesday for Barcelona.

Pre-match

Most of the talk surrounding the game was that for the first time in many seasons Real Madrid entered the match as slight favorites. They were on a 15 match unbeaten streak, while Barcelona had dropped points in away fixtures - including most recently to Gatefe and Bilbao (And narrow wins at Gijon and Granada). Madrid were heading into the game with a 3 point advantage and a game in hand.

Lineups & Formation

I was expecting Madrid to continue from the previous season with a 4-3-3 that included Alonso, Khedira and Lass/Coentrao in the middle three. For Barcelona the only question was where would Alves play - In the back four or as a part of midfield four.

Mourinho (pleasantly) surprised many with a more attacking starting formation with Ozil in the midfield three. The shocker was preference for Lass ahead of Khedira. I need a separate blog to just tell you how much I hate La$$.

Flexibility

For a side with so many stars Real Madrid were surprisingly rigid in their formation. At the least when things were not going well, CR7 and Di Maria should have changed wings. With CR7 and Di Maria always cutting in, they were narrowing the game, which made it easy for Puyol and co.

Barcelona on the other hand could change between a 3-4-3 and 4-3-3 at the drop of a hat. Messi dropped back at will and Iniesta was all over the pitch.

Leadership

When things were going wrong, Messi took charge of the game. Madrid has the answers to most Barcelona players except for him. With Madrid dominant at the half hour mark, a visibly frustrated Messi dropped deep, got clear of la$$ and found Alexis clear with a superb through ball. And just like that for all the domination of Madrid, Barcelona were level.

The Match


For once we only talk football. It was not bad luck, as Mourinho eluded to - But Barcelona were the superior side on the night. But Madrid are closer than ever before. Better finishing and the result could have been very different. They also need to improve their defense - Messi shouldn't have been allowed to string passes in the manner he did for their first goal.


The result is a disappointing 1-3 loss at home, when Barcelona were there for the taking. Now the mind is cluttered with self doubt. As much as this Classico result was important, it is the number of points Madrid is going to drop against other teams that is going to determine the winner of the league. The fans need a response. In Seville.

Positives

Benzema and DiMaria. They were absolutely brilliant in the first half. Especially Benzema. Having performed on the biggest stage must have given them great confidence.

In Ronaldo we Trust 


One must not forget that Ronaldo is our top scorer and carried the side admirably last year including in the copa win. A final thought from what Guti said after watching Madrid play from the stands for the first time:

"Doubting Cristiano is like doubting Messi when he plays a bad match with the Argentine national team."

And as Mourinho said post game : "We're Leaders"

Hala Madrid!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

El Clasico Preview - The tide is turning

The last couple of weeks have shattered a few widely held beliefs
1. Dev saheb is immortal.
2. Sergio busquets will never be caught for diving.

If you haven't followed laliga closely you might have missed this incredible moment altogether. Here is the proof:



This is no Photoshop work. The unthinkable did happen.

Here's a brilliant cartoon which had me in roflolololing: http://www.studs-up.com/2011/11/the-princess-and-the-defensive-mid/ 

Barcelona for the last 7-8 years have been the most powerful force in world football. Three champions league crowns, multiple league titles and many more humiliating victories over Real Madrid.  

The reason why I refered to the Busquets incident is that there is a sense of feeling that things are about to change.

(1) Not long ago, everyone held this Barcelona team in awe. Opposition fans applauded during humiliating defeats; Press raved about the football Barcelona played and many teams/coaches had lost the match in their minds even before the play started. But after the clasico, the auro of this team seems to have lessened, probably due their non-football skills on display in the 4 clasicos. So far this season, teams have played Barcelona much better.

(2) Injuries. Last year was the perfect year for Barcelona. Like Newcastle's campain so far this year in the EPL, the same 11-12 players played for Barcelona throughout the last campaign. I know they have strengthened with Alexis and Fabregas, but there are still many players in this Barca side without cover - specially in the defense.

(3) This is Real Madrid's second season under Jose Mourinho

And finally, probably most importantly, the results have also changed. Real Madrid are three points ahead of Barcelona and with a game in hand going into the Clasico.

Hoping that on Sunday morning I will be celebrating a 6 point lead with a game in hand.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Mallya takes on the Media


After many articles covering KFA's troubles, the media frenzy regarding this issue hit its peak after news that Mr. Mallya is allegedly negotiating a bailout package. Key people in the Govt (The PM, no less) spoke about the need step in which outraged many. How can taxpayer's money be used to save a private company, they asked. 

While following the developments, I wondered how the flamboyant man would react to all this. The response was measured. First his friends addressed the battle field. Suhel Seth and others spoke rationally and articulately about the problems surrounding KFA and the ills of the airlines industry at large. 

Then the man himself came out. The press seemed hostile, but Mallya composed.


He might have been fighting for his airline's survival, negotiating a "bail-out" package or partying with the Calender girls, you wouldn't have known by watching this interview. Among all his sporting interests, he would make (or probably is) a bloody good poker player.

Then he attacked the Media: 

@thevijaymallya: "Watching media reports n analysis that share prices of United Spirits fell due to Airline fears. How flawed. United Spirits is liquid gold"
"World largest plane lessor speaks 2 ET Delhi- full support 4 Kingfisher. Not published. Instead ET Mumbai correspondent ignores n attacks !"

Mallya's companies are one of the key advertisers for the Indian media. So it is very difficult to buy these arguments. I feel the TV media at least has been measured and cautious in its attack of KFA. They get facts wrong most time. They pronounce their verdict before hearing the case most times. But the slightest mention of "Bailout" got a swift response from Mallya. And soon enough, most of them corrected.

Either ways, the media seems to have moved on (in search of the next scam), with Mallya emerging the clear winner in this round. He and his airlines are hear to stay. For now at least.

In between this drama surrounding the media coverage for the last two weeks, KFA has achieved three things:

(a) Got Kingfisher out of some of the non-profitable routes, without much hue and cry from the government. Make no mistake, some passengers will suffer. But of the important reason why Indigo is profitable, is that they run only on profitable routes. 

(b) Its now become common knowledge that there is problem with the punishing taxes that the center/states levy. That Air India is also bleeding is a concern to the government. So if the government relaxes the taxes, they are less likely to get the "You are taking measures for private greed, what have you done for the common man" argument. Not sure they will be touching this though.

(c) Made it a bit easier for those lobbying for increase in FDI in airlines sector. India badly needs Reforms 2.0 and the Airline industry is in pole position to be freed up.

Final thought - 
@TheVijayMallya "If our Government has denied FDI by Airlines in Indian carriers on security grounds, how come we have expat non Indian Airline CEO's ?" On the Spice Jet CEO

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Starting your day with Twitter?

More than a year back, I decided to purchase the Ipad and also simultaneously stopped subscribing to any newspaper. Also because I didn't see a point waking up and reading the Toilet paper of India. 

So, since then I usually wake up and browse favorite websites, news apps and Twitter. Slowly, it has become only Twitter. I get all the news - the very latest, well written editorial are always RTed. Plus there the funny men with their funny lines. So, there has been no need to go anywhere else actually. 

But recently, twitter has not been good to start of with and I am thinking of going back to the newspaper days. Reason - Waking up to those RIP messages.. It is such a useless/sad way to start of your day. And usually on most occasions, these day only gets worse. 

Take for instance today's death of Peter Roebuck - I didn't need that information at 9AM.. It could have easily waited till say post noon and it wouldn't have changed anything. For two weeks I woke up to some tribute or the other of Steve Jobs .. Great man, but should not affect your 14 consecutive mornings! The last few months have been just terrible.

I wonder how many people start their day with twitter on your apple / android / blackberry machines? Do you? (Pls leave a comment; You might probably be the first one :) )

I am thinking of getting back to the old habits of reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee.. And not opening twitter till much later in office.. What say? And which newspaper to go for in Delhi? HT?

Sunday, November 6, 2011

The joke that is Ballon d'or!

Whatever might have been the process to arrive at the nominations, the Ballon d'or list was very disappointing, to say the least.

There was a clear message (As in the earlier years as well) - It is not the football over the last 12 months but your popularity that wins nomination. Perfect example was Eric Abidal, who received a nomination after raising the CL trophy coming back from illness. Another example was Eto'o.

Lets get the easier task out of the way - predicting the winner

The Winner - Lionel Messi

It doesn't matter that Messi is a dud playing for Argentina, a side with the attacking talent of Higuain, Tevez, Aguero.. Creativity in Di Maria, Riquelme & I am sure that I am missing a lot of names

It doesn't matter that he did this last season:



Neither that he often goes to ground easily. Messi is the darling of world football. He cannot do any wrong. Hence Winner.

How Sneijder could miss out last season still beats me! Scratch that, he couldn't make it to the top 3 .. The rest have no chance this year.

Runner Up - Ronaldo
Third - Xavi &/ Iniesta


A word on the nominations:

Full List: Eric Abidal (France), Sergio Aguero (Argentina), Karim Benzema (France), Iker Casillas (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Dani Alves (Brazil), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Diego Forlan (Uruguay), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Thomas Muller (Germany), Nani (Portugal), Neymar (Brazil), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Gerard Pique (Spain), Wayne Rooney (England), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), Luis Suarez (Uruguay), David Villa (Spain), Xabi Alonso (Spain), Xavi (Spain).


From the list, two clubs dominate the nominations:
Barcelona - 8
Real Madrid - 5


They are currently the best two clubs in the world, that they can be no doubt.. Ofcourse, Manchester United have a better "recent history" (the last 5 seasons) than Real Madrid.

Here's my changes to the list of 23 nominations:


Omissions I make from the current list: 

  1. Villa, really? If at all a Barca player has to be nominated, it should have been Pedro, who provided the real spark last season (Including the first goal in the Champions League finals)
  2. Eric Abidal? As discussed. 
  3. Sergio Aguero. Please Explain. 10 Points.
  4. Benzema? 20 Points for anybody who makes a half decent attempt.
  5. Muller comes in as a total surpise.. Specially considering neither Goetze or Nuri Sahin made the cut. Also Gomez scored 39 goals.. Muller, playing for the same club only scored 19
  6. Samuel Eto'o: Another one who gets the popularity vote
  7. Fabregas: Cant recollect him doing anything last season apart from sulking and being injured. Actually, that is good enough for many !
  8. Ozil: Had to put his name after some thought. Had a very good half a season but was completely missing from the crucial matches in the second half.. Probably it was the fatigue factor, but not this year, Ozil.
  9. Bastian Schweinsteiger: Bayern Munich finished 3rd in the league, Round of 16 in CL and won nothing.. Very good player, but sorry, no nomination this season

Just making the cut:

Dani Alves (He won a lot of trophies, played well & there are very few defenders in the list) , Sneijder (He should have won it the last season.. This year, he just makes the cut because of grace marks carried forward), Forlan (For his international performances)

Inclusions:

  1. Van Persie - Is the single reason why Arsenal is still competing today
  2. Goetze - I think the only reason he does not make the list is because of that Ronaldo's quote
  3. Nuri Sahin - Bundesliga's player of the season last year
  4. Cavani - Not far behind DiNatale in terms of goals, was an inspiration to Napoli guiding them to 3rd and the Champions League place
  5. DiNatale - Top scorer for Italian league last season. Was the reason why Udinese's finished 4th
  6. Falcao - Nobody deserves to be in the list more than Falcao based on what he achieved for Porto, especially in the UEFA cup
  7. Hazard - The best player in the French league, the only reason he is not there in the list is that no bigger club has paid 40 million for his services

The list has very few defenders and/or goal keepers. So here are two who deserve to be there:

  1. Vidic - United were EPL champions and the CL finalists: They deserve 3 nominations.
  2. Manuel Nauer - The goalkeeper who should have been in the list along with Iker Cassilas

Notable Absentees
Mario Gomez (Picked Goetze and Sahin ahead of him), David Silva, Hulk


Summary - 


The best three clubs (of 2010-11) representation in my list:
Barcelona - 5 (Probably too many, but they did win the double)
Manchester United - 3
Real Madrid - 3 (+1; Sahin)

9 Changes (Plus a possible 3 more) to a squad of 23, shows how poor the Fifa nominations are.

Friday, October 28, 2011

What to expect from the F1 weekend

While India gears up for it's first Formula 1 weekend, here are five things one can expect this weekend:

1. When the grand stand erupts at the chequered flag, the cheer and the noise will not be for Vettel the winner of the grand prix, but for Sachin Tendulkar waving the flag

     1.1 The winner dedicating the victory to Sachin and carrying him around the race track

2. Half the crowd having turned up after seeing the SRK ad, just like they do for his movies

     2.1 The knowledgeable ones wondering how come Schumacher is not wearing red of Ferrari

     2.2 The really knowledgeable ones explaining to them that the real Michael Schumacher has retired and this is someone else, possibly his brother.


3. Narain Karthikeyan using his local knowledge & adopting a 17 pit stop strategy, thereby avoiding a punctured tyre and winning the race.

4. Worldwide audience of F1 realising that India is more than slums and poverty, but left with one nagging question -- Who or What is Ra.One?

     4.1 Also, rest of the world being introduced to the technological marvel that is the MRF blimp and the race being red flagged for a 5-minute strategic break

5. Arnab Goswami's monologue with Vettel

Thoughts?

---

Update after watching FP1 -

#3. will lead to epic failure as the track and the conditions are simply brilliant.

But what did happen was that FP1 was red flagged for 5 minutes. Reason --- Unidentified dog on the circuit! haha.. But that incident aside, Friday practice was just brilliant. Promises to be a brilliant first #IndianGP.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

The day after Diwali

Today marks the beginning of Samvat 2068. Wishing a very happy new year to all !!

Just noting a few observations made yesterday:
  1. Seemed like there were less crackers burnt this Diwali
  2. The best part of watching Ra.One was the trailer to Don 2 (Or is it Don.Two?) . Insane marketing alone does not make good content. If Farhan Akthar direction also delivers a dud, then brand SRK is in deep trouble if not dead.
  3. Diwali (or for that matter any festival) away from home sucks. Big-time.
Just want to dwell a bit more on the first observation. Most of the crackers burnt in my colony were after 9pm and by adults who were generally 25+ .. The only time I saw kids, were when they were playing cricket in the morning.

Two possible theories -
a) Inflation - Not enough money for left to spend on the crackers & also the cracker prices.. The amount you have to shell out to buy the good ones is insane.
b) Education - I wonder how much impact this is having. Kids today seem to be generally more aware about social issues.

It's only when I saw the celebrations late in the night, I thought it might be the latter. Wouldn't it be great if it is! Of course this is a sample size of 1. The hypothesis itself could be wrong. Would love to know if anyone else felt the same or this is just my wishful thinking.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Dewarists - The Brand behind it.

19:20 on a Friday - Bliss. Just one call to attend for the weekend. Usually sporting events dominate my things to look forward to for the weekend. True this weekend also with the Rugby World Cup. But also there is one other program I don't want to miss -

Dewarists, On Star World @ 8PM.

If you haven't watched episode 1, you must do so here..

The idea of music documentary is something really fascinating (At least in India) .. But what's even better was the execution. And the music at the end of it all was superb.

But this post is not about 'Dewarists' the show.. But 'Dewars' the brand. A scotch brand.

Heard that they have underwritten almost the entire production costs of the show. And even after having spent quite a lot, they have just lent the brand name to show. No unnecessary product placement, screen popups, etc. I wonder how many people know that Dewars is an alcohol brand from Bacardi, and even after watching the first episode know about this.

I really think the marketing guys @ Bacadi have struck gold. Compare this to Bhajji's "Make it Large" or Dhoni's "Spirit of Leadership". Think this is one of the best marketing concepts this year in India.

Secondly, would they have been inspired to create such a campaign if alcohol advertising was allowed in India. Would there have been more product placement, etc?

Anyways, waiting to see how they follow through on the fantastic beginning. And also if the show will go on to become a successful franchise (I think so).


The Blog.

I woke up today with this thought... "I should start blogging".

To be honest today was not the first time. It's actually 175th time. Yes, same number of runs Kapil scored during that 1983 World Cup match against Zimbabwe.

But the difference was, this is probably the first time I thought about blogging since joining twitter (actively) in May 2010. On twitter it's like I am talking to myself. So I presume it's going to be the same here. But you never know... as Oogway said, There are no accidents.