We are proud of Indians who are world beaters; they sustain us in the belief that IF WE REALLY PUT OURSELVES, we can be the best in the world. Without denying them this right to be `icons of the nation', I have a humble suggestion.
SHOULD THEY NOT TAKE UP AND SUPPORT A ISSUE [other than their own field], in which their beloved country is worst in the world.
For example, it would be good if some of our cricketing icons took up the cudgels on behalf of other sports which are so sadly lacking. Their gesture would make them TRULY GREAT!
They could visit certain educational institutions which `restrict' all sports activity for the youth [in the name of C.E.T and destroy the golden years of sportsmanship] and explain that physical health is much more important than collecting degrees and jobs.
THAT A NATION OF A BILLION NEEDS TO BE ASS-KICKED by leading sportsmen to ensure that the fundamental right of the children to play is safeguarded.
I HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR THREE DECADES - even I need help!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
I WILL STAND FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!
I refused the right to live a `comfortable' life - for the compexity of `true living' attracted me no end. People questioned my choice but I STOOD UP to my convictions.
It was an endless struggle of FIVE DECADES [my willingness to go for the most difficult and sometimes impossible objectives] and a marathon run that allowed little breathing space. From one catastrophe to another - catapulated into a dark abyss from which no return seemed possible - I willingly allowed myself the delusion that I WAS A GOD LIKE NONE OTHER. The need to have NO FOLLOWERS was great - as I wanted all others to evolve themselves into GODS.
Then suddenly everthing focussed onto a single thought - I WANTED JOY [the only thing worth pursuing]. Playing and teaching basketball to children became my solitary pursuit. I HAD FOUND MY GODS!
I am still quizzed as to WHY DO YOU DO IT? I HAVE STOOD FOR FIVE DECADES searching for `my joy' - and now for the joys of the children I WILL STAND FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.
It was an endless struggle of FIVE DECADES [my willingness to go for the most difficult and sometimes impossible objectives] and a marathon run that allowed little breathing space. From one catastrophe to another - catapulated into a dark abyss from which no return seemed possible - I willingly allowed myself the delusion that I WAS A GOD LIKE NONE OTHER. The need to have NO FOLLOWERS was great - as I wanted all others to evolve themselves into GODS.
Then suddenly everthing focussed onto a single thought - I WANTED JOY [the only thing worth pursuing]. Playing and teaching basketball to children became my solitary pursuit. I HAD FOUND MY GODS!
I am still quizzed as to WHY DO YOU DO IT? I HAVE STOOD FOR FIVE DECADES searching for `my joy' - and now for the joys of the children I WILL STAND FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.
WHY MUST ORGANISERS WIN THEIR TOURNAMENTS?
Having seen so many basketball matches and tournaments I have slowly come to recognize the fact that when organizers themselves are participating THEY ALWAYS WIN THE TOURNAMENT! Why?
The need to win is paramount in all of us. But this need to win sometimes reaches ludicrous levels. Most of the school tournaments conducted by schools themselves are planned `meticulously'. Tough teams are kept out or at least kept out of the `hosts' group so that they meet only in the finals. And when the finals begin the referees blow those `convenient' whistles which takes the sails out of the opposition in quick time.
IS THIS SPORTS? AND THEN WE ASK OURSELVES WHY WE DONOT HAVE QUALITY PLAYERS.
The need to win is paramount in all of us. But this need to win sometimes reaches ludicrous levels. Most of the school tournaments conducted by schools themselves are planned `meticulously'. Tough teams are kept out or at least kept out of the `hosts' group so that they meet only in the finals. And when the finals begin the referees blow those `convenient' whistles which takes the sails out of the opposition in quick time.
IS THIS SPORTS? AND THEN WE ASK OURSELVES WHY WE DONOT HAVE QUALITY PLAYERS.
BASKETBALL - MAYHEM VERSUS POETRY
Watch the videos of basketball matches just twenty years ago - the game of basketball was like poetry in motion. Watch today's matches and they are like mayhem.
As a basketball promoter cum coach - I cannot see this game slowly degenerate into more of a street fight than a sport. BRAWN is all you need - the need to get HACKED at every drive in - where does that leads the sport to. I think the time has come for a `relook' at the rules that makes REFEREES job look like supervising a WWF MATCH.
SUMPOORNA is evolving a new set of rules that allow POETRY IN MOTION - it makes the game extremely attractive and SKILL IS APPRECIATED and BRUTE FORCE is penalised.
I will not allow the game I have played for five decades without any real injury degenerate into fisticuffs. Once upon a time Mr. Naismith invented this game to see that the groups of youth test their `sharing skills' but today it tests their `sparring skills'.
LET US PUT BACK `FUN' IN PLAYING BASKETBALL.
As a basketball promoter cum coach - I cannot see this game slowly degenerate into more of a street fight than a sport. BRAWN is all you need - the need to get HACKED at every drive in - where does that leads the sport to. I think the time has come for a `relook' at the rules that makes REFEREES job look like supervising a WWF MATCH.
SUMPOORNA is evolving a new set of rules that allow POETRY IN MOTION - it makes the game extremely attractive and SKILL IS APPRECIATED and BRUTE FORCE is penalised.
I will not allow the game I have played for five decades without any real injury degenerate into fisticuffs. Once upon a time Mr. Naismith invented this game to see that the groups of youth test their `sharing skills' but today it tests their `sparring skills'.
LET US PUT BACK `FUN' IN PLAYING BASKETBALL.
Friday, January 16, 2009
A SPORTSMAN'S DILEMMA!
We hear of stories - sportsmen selling their medals - sportsmen living in garages - sportsmen committing suicides - YET AT SUMPOORNA we are exhorting children `in the name of national pride' to become sportsmen.
It is far better to become a peon in a bank or a cyber-coolie in a call centre than to become a sportsman. A world champion is saddened by the `reception' given to him whereas a whole nation welcomes the victorious cricket team [ the same team which a month ago was beaten by record runs]. Greatness cannot be measured by the `largeness' of the crowds.
Politicians rule the roost - in our daily life, in our journey on pot-holed roads, in scam after scam - yet our sportsmen are dependent on them for their bread and butter. Mere performance never gets a sportsman a place in the state or national team - its' easier to go and lick few political boots to get the job done.
The sportsmen too are to be blamed - after all they get what they deserve - a true world beater arrives after years of dedicated effort. The environment in which our players exist doesn't allow true merit to be nurtured. Boot licking and right connections only helps in make believe actors of `players' and when these people fail to even qualify - drugs enter the scene to ensure `performance at any cost'.
YET WE AT SUMPOORNA ARE ASKING THE CHILDREN TO BECOME SPORTSMEN!
History beckons us - for the real sportsmen in this nation are very few. Unless a grass-root revolution galvanizes this nation; we cannot aspire to take our rightful place in the SPORTING WORLD. India waits with baited breath - a thousand SUPOORNAS must spring forth - for nothing can hold us back - all one billion plus of us.
THAT'S WHY WE AT SUMPOORNA NURTURE YOUNG INDIANS TO BECOME SPORTSMEN.
It is far better to become a peon in a bank or a cyber-coolie in a call centre than to become a sportsman. A world champion is saddened by the `reception' given to him whereas a whole nation welcomes the victorious cricket team [ the same team which a month ago was beaten by record runs]. Greatness cannot be measured by the `largeness' of the crowds.
Politicians rule the roost - in our daily life, in our journey on pot-holed roads, in scam after scam - yet our sportsmen are dependent on them for their bread and butter. Mere performance never gets a sportsman a place in the state or national team - its' easier to go and lick few political boots to get the job done.
The sportsmen too are to be blamed - after all they get what they deserve - a true world beater arrives after years of dedicated effort. The environment in which our players exist doesn't allow true merit to be nurtured. Boot licking and right connections only helps in make believe actors of `players' and when these people fail to even qualify - drugs enter the scene to ensure `performance at any cost'.
YET WE AT SUMPOORNA ARE ASKING THE CHILDREN TO BECOME SPORTSMEN!
History beckons us - for the real sportsmen in this nation are very few. Unless a grass-root revolution galvanizes this nation; we cannot aspire to take our rightful place in the SPORTING WORLD. India waits with baited breath - a thousand SUPOORNAS must spring forth - for nothing can hold us back - all one billion plus of us.
THAT'S WHY WE AT SUMPOORNA NURTURE YOUNG INDIANS TO BECOME SPORTSMEN.
Friday, January 9, 2009
I CANNOT STOP FOR `COMFORTS'!
I am but a child of two years who has just started to walk and talk. I wonder at the great mysteies of nature - and wonder why I donot understand everything. Probably I will, as I grow older.
The realm of nature is to be experienced - no matter how many books you have read - or movies that you have seen. Unless your body brushes the trees; the soul meanders into the valleys and desires take you to lofty hills - you cannot understand the myriad shapes of nature. AND when a little understanding permeates your system a wry smile is all that remains for you suddenly realise the vastness of the task you have undertaken. Like that of a traveller who is told that the destination is just a `little further' and this `little further' makes him travel whole of the day.
The principle behind this philosophy is simple - if you know the `whole' you will be stumped in your tracks. To know little - and then go `little further' may enable you to realise your goal with ease.
My happiness lies in the fact that I have earnestly begun my journey - this job of self realisation that I have set for myself - I hope it ends in joy for everyone - those who love me and also those who don't.
I hope I can follow yester-year greats and begin the process of `path making' for the generations to come. The yearning of my ATMAN cannot be stopped for mere `mortal' comforts!
The realm of nature is to be experienced - no matter how many books you have read - or movies that you have seen. Unless your body brushes the trees; the soul meanders into the valleys and desires take you to lofty hills - you cannot understand the myriad shapes of nature. AND when a little understanding permeates your system a wry smile is all that remains for you suddenly realise the vastness of the task you have undertaken. Like that of a traveller who is told that the destination is just a `little further' and this `little further' makes him travel whole of the day.
The principle behind this philosophy is simple - if you know the `whole' you will be stumped in your tracks. To know little - and then go `little further' may enable you to realise your goal with ease.
My happiness lies in the fact that I have earnestly begun my journey - this job of self realisation that I have set for myself - I hope it ends in joy for everyone - those who love me and also those who don't.
I hope I can follow yester-year greats and begin the process of `path making' for the generations to come. The yearning of my ATMAN cannot be stopped for mere `mortal' comforts!
THE FINEST BIRTHDAY AT 54!
The day started with grass -cutting and is now ending with a `loneliness contentment' that I have sought. There is an all pervasive silence which is deafening all my senses. Mind is fully focussed on to `living' - I can hear my heart beats- I can sense my lungs working in a peaceful harmony - the `wind' rustling through the trees creating an `elixir' of heavenly music.
As darkness falls I have a sense of fulfillmen like never before - its' almost a step short of nirvana. The telephone calls of `happy birthday' reminds me of the `celebration' that my soul is enjoying in this `silent world' of SUMPOORNA. My senses are bathing in a `soup' of extreme joy. God is sitting next to me and whispering `nothings' into my ears. What these `nothings' mean I cannot comprehend but it is something that I very deeply want.
How can I stay away from this - from a `heaven' allotted to me. People dream such dreams - I have been given this dream while I still awake.
WHAT MORE COULD I WANT?
As darkness falls I have a sense of fulfillmen like never before - its' almost a step short of nirvana. The telephone calls of `happy birthday' reminds me of the `celebration' that my soul is enjoying in this `silent world' of SUMPOORNA. My senses are bathing in a `soup' of extreme joy. God is sitting next to me and whispering `nothings' into my ears. What these `nothings' mean I cannot comprehend but it is something that I very deeply want.
How can I stay away from this - from a `heaven' allotted to me. People dream such dreams - I have been given this dream while I still awake.
WHAT MORE COULD I WANT?
Monday, January 5, 2009
THE UNLIMITED LOVE!
Love means differently to us at different ages. The purity of the adolescent love; the frantic search for partnerships in love in our youth; the reminicing about love during mature years and finally the love for universal powers during our old age.
I have always wondered what `being in love' has done for me in my life. I wonder what it would do for me when `I am in love' with the spirituality that cocoons me.
As a child sweets meant anything with sugar in it - as a youth I developed my preferences - as a middle aged person it means `once in a while'. This change is just as information - knowledge - wisdom come to us in that chronological order.
BUT SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE! Like `being in joy' whatever life may bring.
I have always wondered what `being in love' has done for me in my life. I wonder what it would do for me when `I am in love' with the spirituality that cocoons me.
As a child sweets meant anything with sugar in it - as a youth I developed my preferences - as a middle aged person it means `once in a while'. This change is just as information - knowledge - wisdom come to us in that chronological order.
BUT SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE! Like `being in joy' whatever life may bring.
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