tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73455152900029337302024-02-18T23:53:17.473-08:00NON-CONFORMISTThe attempt to lead a rational life - made me a recluse and there was no option but to become a non-conformist.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-31288202626661420072012-06-16T18:24:00.001-07:002012-06-16T18:24:08.933-07:00WE MUST LET GO!It has been quite some time - I wrote on this blog. POETRY hogs all my thinking - reminiscing time. But the few months that have just passed by - in my life - deserve this.
OFTEN we have favourites in a group - people whom we give more attention than usual. We nurture them in the hope that when the time comes - they will stand by us. We ignore their faults and weaknesses - expecting a similar behaviour when we are down and out. Often that is the case - but sometimes, something much more devastating takes place.
Pampered by our overbearing love they start thinking that THEY ARE INDISPENSABLE - and a sense of `indifference' builds up in them. Familiarity breeds contempt. And the more we try to - get their attention - the more farther they go away from us. The expectation that they should BE WITH US in our time of need - becomes greater and greater. This, in turn, suffocates their space and they develop a dislike - which may later go on to become hatred.
It is at such times - WE MUST LET GO. There is no other way. If they genuinely care for you - THEY WILL COME BACK - sooner or later. Otherwise it is wiser to let them go. Remember - you are the one to be blamed - you were the one who initiated this relationship - and you must initiate the U TURN. This is the only way you can get your self esteem back.
In my life time, MORE PEOPLE went away - than those WHO CAME BACK. But the ones which came back - have lasted me forever. You too will get your share. JUST WAIT!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-75894663738699351972012-06-13T19:45:00.001-07:002012-06-13T19:45:00.164-07:00SADHOO – JAG DARSHAN KA MELAMy father has a great voice for bhajans – and he is expert in
harmonium. Except me all my brothers and sisters learnt it.
I missed out on many other things too – but that cannot be
the story here. The rustic voice – tugs at my heart and I
have sung this many times – sometimes with my own wordings
as I made them up. It has been a companion – this bhajan
has been number one for me.
SADHOO – JAG DARSHAN KA MELA
IS MELEY MAIN KHOOB HAI RAUNAQ
TOON KYON FIREY AKELA
MELEY MAIN KAR MAIL TOO SABSEY
KHALEE DEKH NA MELA
SADHOO – JAG DARSHAN KA MELA
IS MELEY MAIN KAYEE HAIN MAILEE
KAHEEN GURU – KOYEE CHELA
APNI BHAGATI GURU TAREYGA
APNEE KARNI CHELA
SADHOO -
KAR LAY SAUDHA JO BHEE KARNA
KHARCH LAY PAISA DHELA
JAB YEY MAILA BICHUD JAYEYGA
KAAM NA AAYEY DHELA
SADHOO –
KAUDI KAUDI MAYA ZODEE
JOD LIYA EK THAILA
KAHAT KABEER SUNO BHEE SADHO
SANG NA JAYEE THAILA
SADHOO
The problem is now I would have to alter my
singing to these new wordings. HA HA – SO BE IT.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-8860196032560165792012-06-13T19:40:00.001-07:002012-06-13T19:40:11.862-07:00UPDESH JO APNEE GEETA DA SAMJHA DIYA BANSURI WALEY NAYHow many times – in my childhood – I have woken to this bhajan
sung by my parents – and whenever we are together we sing it.
The eternal truths – in mother tongue – bathe me in joy. Someone
one day – may similarly rejoice – to the immortality of our soul.
The memory of mother singing this more often is vivid and as I
write this – her singing chant – moves me – as nothing else.
UPDESH JO APNEE GEETA DA
SAMJHA DIYA BANSURI WALEY NAY
AGYAN DA PARDA JO SEE PAYA
OH UTHA DIYA BANSURI WALEY NAY
SUCH JAN TOON ATMAN MARDA NAHIN
EHNOO SHASTAR KATAL KOYEE KARDA NAHIN
AG PANEE HAWA KOLON DARDA NAHIN
SAMJHA DIYA BANSURI WALEY NAY
JIWAYEN ADAMI MAILEY LAHNDA HAI
NAWENY KAPDEY CHAH FIR PANDA HAI
TIWENY ATMA TAN BADLANDA HAI
FARMA DIYA BANSURI WALEY NAY
EH DUNIYAN CHALDI AAYEE HAI
NA KOYEE BHEN TAN NA KOYEE BHAYEE HAI
NA KOYEE BAAP TAY NA KOYEE MAYEE HAI
SAMJHA DIYA BANSURI WALEY NAY
UPDESH JO APNEE GEETA DA
SAMJHA DIYA BANSURI WALEY NAY
AGYAN DA PARDA JO SEE PAYA
OH UTHA DIYA BANSURI WALEY NAY
And then decades later – Bhawana Sawanth wanted me to sing this bhajan as we walked late in the night in SUMPOORNA. I sang this – and suddenly realized the power of this
bhajan. Then she wanted to sing along with me. Then others wanted to sing it too.
I THINK MORE SO – when they realized their basketball coach was in joy – and they
wanted me to be happy. Children have that innate quality of `connecting’ – because they
still posses their INTUITION.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-73917198398886782892012-06-13T19:37:00.001-07:002012-06-13T19:37:37.711-07:00NEVER MIND – OH – NEVER MIND – MY CHILDNEVER MIND – OH – NEVER MIND – MY CHILD
the pain and anguish of this separation. This must be done – this is my commitment to my nation and its children. For if I don’t do it – I will be denying myself of the rarest of the rare opportunity to `release’ the yolk of this `slavish education’ that we have tied around the neck of a billion children
I must help them – I must raise their `war-cry’ to a crescendo that will burst the ear drums of their enemies.
I know loneliness is terrible – particularly when you are away from people you love – but then every person must pay this price. I must pay a heavier price for the additional burden that I carry ‘of wisdom’ – of knowledge that few possess.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-91486769632933623442012-06-13T19:34:00.001-07:002012-06-13T19:34:40.760-07:00THE PRICE FOR GREATNESSTHE PRICE FOR GREATNESS must be paid. If you are to be an achiever you must be ready to ignore the recreations that others enjoy – you must ignore the make-believe `joys’ that they have – ignore the `fears’ – ignore the `comforts’ etc. You must resolutely work every moment of your life towards the goals that you have set for yourself
You must ignore their `glee’ when you fail – ignore their malignant smiles when you are in anguish – ignore their restlessness when you are near your goal – ignore their `stomach burn’ when you achieve your goals – and forgive them for their pettiness [past, present and future].
But for others – who test your resoluteness again and again you may not have achieved your goals. They are the `test’ you must pass. When they tell you that they too must share in your greatness – forgive them and allow them this `shameful act’ because by doing this – you prove worthy of yourself.
Great people were never treated nicely by the `others’. They were mocked at, laughed at, jeered at – for their `focus’ – they were treated as freaks. These great souls had to suffer greatest hardships for least joys – but for them even that was enough.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-52362185119926123532012-01-16T15:25:00.000-08:002012-01-16T15:25:28.127-08:00SABAL 2012 RECREATIONAL MICRO BASKETBALLOBJECTIVE : To catch the children at a young age - imbibing a sports culture in their minds and making their bodies physically fit for the game of basketball.
METHODOLOGY : To enlighten parents about the joys of playing the game - and encouraging them to sign their children for the annual training programme called SABAL 2012. WEEK-ENDS are utilised to conduct the programmes - which are otherwise wasted in mundane activities like over-sleeping, TV or other such activities.
TARGET GROUP : Children from IV, V and VI standards are ideally suited for this programme. Exceptions can be made.
TAKING OFF : On 26th January, we will have a curtain-raiser called SABAL 2012 RECREATIONAL MICRO BASKETBALL. A registration fee of Rs. 100 per student will be payable. Limited number of SUMPOORNA Shirts and Basketballs are on
sale. The activities will begin at 9am sharp. There will be series of competitions - play-drills - and competitive matches. The idea is to show-case basketball in its entirety. The winners of individual competitions will get certificates and medals.
CONCLUSION : The enormous benefits of regular exercise - in terms of physical and mental development - are highlighted
to encourage parents to get their children involved in a scientific way.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-50643725129077140502011-10-28T16:36:00.000-07:002011-10-28T17:01:14.017-07:00THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF A BASKETBALL COACH - IIThere are two ways of becoming a better coach - one is you train elite players and are officially recognized. The second is you use your instincts to train young and new players. If you love the game enough - the coaching ability grows on you - you learn to create chemistry between different people - maybe the methods are not exactly from the text book. This rubs off on your students who become innovative players and learn to enjoy the game - and develop a fervor and passion equal to your own.<br /><br />My students were good - but often the tournaments we went to - were arranged in a way to favor the host team. This created a feeling of `frustration' in all of us. So we organized tournaments ourselves in which a fair opportunity was given to all teams.<br />I was stepping into unknown - uncharted territories - but I had to give a logical conclusion to my players who were becoming better and better. The idea to create an year long league came up - it was a visionary thought - A.B.L.E. CUP became a mile-stone in promotion of basketball in Bangalore city. Suddenly, everyone wanted to be a basketball player. But these were still early days. And suddenly we stepped into another NO NO ZONE - young players like my son became coaches. We had broken the code - and now we could go wherever we wanted. Senior players donned the role of coaches, officials - and I became the VOICE for hundreds of `tournament starved' children.<br /><br />AN YEAR LONG A.B.L.E. league took every ounce of energy I had - it left my finances and family in shambles - but I was ready to pay the price AND I DID. But when the final moment came in Beagles basketball court - it was gratifying. SUCCESS has its price tag. Different pressures from different directions - slowly started nibbling at our programme. We couldn't follow up it with other grandiose plans that I had envisioned. Printed pamphlets and book-lets still lying in my cupboards - of almost 10-12 years ago - to tell the story of failed dreams.<br /><br />But I didn't give up. The idea of going to every school and be a `honorary coach' slowly germinated. I was breaking fresh ground - I was learning fast - but it was painful. THERE WAS NO SUPPORT from any side - and slowly my ideas and the support I had withered away. My career as a coach had slowly ended and I started calling myself as a promoter. It was sheer madness - a man who always was bankrupt was talking of networking ONE HUNDRED SCHOOLS. The vision I had seen for myself - slowly crystallized in the shape of SUMPOORNA BASKETBALL SCHOOL. But there were family responsibilities too. I had come so far - and now I looked to GOD. I asked him for help - and HE CAME. Finally I had a back-up. It was time to go - and another journey began. This time I had a smile on my face. To be continued -----Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-64963508710336453762011-10-26T17:15:00.000-07:002011-10-26T17:28:28.872-07:00MAKING THE MIND - A COMPASSA boat in an ocean depends on A COMPASS as the most important instrument to chart its journey. We use our minds to chart the journey of our life. But a compass has precisely defined degrees and directions such as NORTH EAST WEST SOUTH. Does our mind have these directions?<br /><br />To make it easier to understand - DOES OUR MIND use our NATURE with the right of ENERGY in a WORLD with the right SOURCES. NATURE - ENERGY - WORLD - SOURCE are the functions of our mind. THE MIND IS THE MAGNETIC FIELD. With this as analogy let us now chart the journey of our life. <br /><br />COME JOIN ME IN THIS EXTRA-ORDINARY JOURNEY OF LIFE BY MAKING THE MIND - A COMPASS.<br />On 28th October from 6pm to 7pm at REGENCY PUBLIC SCHOOL, AMS LAYOUT, VIDYARANYAPURA - the inaugural introspection class will begin. ALL ARE INVITED.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-63821062364948445882011-08-09T06:14:00.000-07:002011-08-09T06:45:33.469-07:00I HAVE ALMOST ONE THOUSAND FACEBOOK FRIENDS - YET THERE IS NO FRIEND!I remember my life as one of joy and abandon. This has been possible because I hardly made any friends. The compromises one has to make TO HAVE FRIENDS - wasn't my cup of tea. And this trend has continued till this day. I have, of course, known people whom I liked - people of whom I was very fond of - and even today I have my `flings' - but refuse to call them friendships. There have been exceptions.
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<br />My sons, for one, I have accepted as my friends - because that way I could nurture them to have better relationship with me. Some of my students [very very few] too I put in this category. Of course, my greatest ever friend has been my father. The name FRIEND for me is a person who accepts me at equal terms - and this is what I haven't found in most of the people. ON DEMAND friendship [FAKE BOOK] is the one which angers me a lot. It is taking away the real warmth of having ONE or TWO friends - and looks more like a FAN FOLLOWING. It helps in ego massage - but deprives you of the real love of a true friend.
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<br />I say things - so that you will understand - what the word FRIEND means - and not street hawking - ADD FRIEND; most of them even we don't like to in person.
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-31619318936350009602011-07-13T19:01:00.000-07:002011-07-13T19:35:16.281-07:00TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF BEING A BASKETBALL COACHWhat began as PASSION - in my early childhood - has become a WAY OF LIVING LIFE today for me. But the trials and tribulations of being a basketball coach have taken its toll. Indifferent versus dedicated students - successes versus failures - anger at some - smile at some - YOU NAME IT - it was all there. I WON and I LOST. Falling in love again and again - and then trying to LIVE OUT the heart-breaks - a roller coaster ride for a sensitive man who tried play by the rules - but couldn't because the rules stifled his creativity and sensitivities. <br /><br />SAVANDURGA - MAKALIDURGA - KABBAL DURGA and so many other hillocks were regularly climbed - as if breathing was possible only on hill-tops. The words like ASHATHON - MICRO OLYMPICS - HANDBALL [ASHA STYLE] - and NO DRIBBLE BASKETBALL with 50 children on either side. People thought I WAS A FOOL - the children had their PIED PIPER - and as we played I fell in love with what I was doing - and obsessed with the children who were playing with me. It was a JOURNEY - I wouldn't exchange with any one. <br /><br />Maybe, one day I will write my detailed auto-biography - till then this small note should do. We were all happy go lucky fellows during those days. No permissions problem - parents just saw the JOY ON THEIR CHILDREN'S FACES - and they didn't have the heart to say NO. One box of puliyogore and curd rice with Rs.10 as bus or train charge - was enough to go for an unbelievable camp. Hundreds upon hundreds wondered and fell in love with what we were doing. Where are we going next -was the question - as we reached the top of a hill. Far away, across the horizons the other hillocks TEASED US - and next week we set off in a new quest. TUMKUR - CHINTAMANI - KANAKAPURA - DODDABALLAPUR and so many other towns became familiar names. <br /><br />Enivronmental classes in these ECO-COCOONS made a deep impact on many students. And as we saw the vanishing `heavenly spots' - anger came - and a withdrawal began. Trekking was replaced by Basketball. The empty ghostly basketball courts were suddenly crowded. A few people didn't like it. Court after court - we were thrown out. Orphaned - we ventured further and further from home in search of a basketball court. The dream of building a RESIDENTIAL BASKETBALL SCHOOL for people who couldn't afford - was looking so impossible. But every dark cloud has a silver lining. I was being noticed by clubs and schools - and I was invited to become A COACH. The cup of my joy filled up. Now I had a basketball court all to myself - at least, that is what I thought. <br /><br />The local team didn't like us. We didn't bother - and in a short period - we were beating them hands down. SWORN ENEMIES were born. And as the crowds built up - parents started walking in tow with their young sons and daughters - I WANT MY CHILD TO LEARN BASKETBALL from you. I began a journey which continues to this day. I am so and so - and I want my children to learn the game FROM YOU. This is equivalent to a Ph.D in basketball for me. Life has given me so many knocks - now I have become KNOCK-PROOF. I have my share of `people' who do not like me - and they are justified in doing so - because I have not been exactly a saint. And therein, lies the story of my life - continued PART II -Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-55060815343318280072011-06-23T22:22:00.000-07:002011-06-23T22:37:56.517-07:00THE DEATH OF INDIAN SPORTSThe catharsis that causes the decay of Indian sports begins in THE SCHOOLS. Mercilessly loaded with `whimsical desires' of their parents and teachers - THE CHILDREN - are Denied the very basic right to play - IN THE NAME OF EDUCATION! <br /><br />ARE YOU VIOLATING THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE CHILDREN TO PLAY <br /><br />THIS is an extract from DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD AS ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF U.N.O. India is a signatory to this historic document. <br /><br />Principle 7 The child is entitled to receive education, which shall be free and compulsory, at least in the elementary stages. He shall be given an education which will promote his general culture and enable him, on a basis of equal opportunity, to develop his abilities, his individual judgement, and his sense of moral and social responsibility, and to become a useful member of society. The best interests of the child shall be the guiding principle of those responsible for his education and guidance; that responsibility lies in the first place with his parents. The child shall have full opportunity for play and recreation, which should be directed to the same purposes as education; society and the public authorities shall endeavour to promote the enjoyment of this right.<br /><br />Read this as many times as you wish to - then go and stand in front of the mirror and ask yourself whether you are violating this fundamental right of your own child/student. I wish to repeat <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The child shall have full opportunity for play and recreation, which should be directed to the same purposes as education; society and the public authorities shall endeavour to promote the enjoyment of this right</span>.<br /><br />THINK ABOUT IT BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP - now you cannot run away from your responsibility!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-55335677126422278322011-05-26T17:42:00.001-07:002011-05-26T17:54:41.557-07:00JUST BECAUSE YOU PLAY BASKETBALL - DONOT GO OVER-BOARD!There are many who are `impressed' with my grass root promotion of basketball. Some of them call themselves as `LIVING THE GAME' - and are unable to concentrate on their studies. They do great dis-service to the game.<br /><br />Just because you play basketball - do not go over-board! Have a balanced life. Team Sports in India [other than cricket]haven't been a rewarding career. Hence it is important to build your career [I am not staying STOP PLAYING or STOP PRACTICING] which is rewarding - and also sustain your interest for the game in a balanced way. It is because of unbalanced attitude of some of the players - the game gets a bad name. <br /><br />The OBNOXITY [foolish desire] of MUST PLAY under 13 - 16 - 18 in state or national level is another fraud on majority of the children. Not every one will get into the team - Not every player selected in the team IS THE BEST PLAYER - so try your level best and leave it at that. ASK AN EXPERIENCED COACH and you will get enough information about `what would happen if you make it to the state/national level. NOTHING WILL HAPPEN. Other than bloating your EGO - and maybe a certificate or a medal here and there - NOTHING WILL HAPPEN. You won't get the moon, surely. Even, for example, if somehow you get into the Indian team itself - WHAT WOULD HAPPEN.<br /><br />ASK AN INDIAN BASKETBALL PLAYER - I am not answering that one - as it would annoy many people.<br /><br />YOUR CAREER IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING - and let no one tell you otherwise. My only concern is why SPORTS cannot go along - that's all. So go and study hard - AND PLAY HARD!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-70581516845745175562011-04-03T07:45:00.000-07:002011-04-03T07:59:24.535-07:00I HAVE OFTEN THOUGHT OF GIVING UP - BUT SOMEHOW I CAN'TPromoting the game of basketball for the last THIRTY ODD YEARS has taken its toll on me. The rewards have been NON-EXISTENT - other than the warm smiles of my students. And when I see lakhs of crores being looted in the name of `PROMOTING SPORTS' - I feel cheated. Some of the elite schools have built beautiful courts on which hardly ten to fifteen people play the game. Almost all publicly accessible basketball courts are abused by all and sundry - no maintenance is done.<br /><br />BUT THE WORST THING is the lack of MOTIVATED COACHES. There are plenty who `coach' but they have other agendas on their mind. I have seen it all and I shudder with fear for the children who are `guided' by such coaches. AND THAT IS ONE REASON I have continued coaching - in the hope that at least I could help few children get the right type of education from this game.<br /><br />The clubs take their coaches for granted - there is hardly any motivation - the parents send their children to `while away their holidays' - those few who have learnt few skills - refused to learn more - and are on a EGOISTIC FLIGHT to a dark hell. They hate everyone and are not the role models that they should be.<br /><br />I HAVE BEEN TEACHING LESSER AND LESSER OF BASKETBALL and more and more of ATTITUDE - because that helps in promoting the game in a right way. There are many who donot agree with me. I couldn't care less. This is my way - and I am not ready to give up yet. But some time when I am alone - I FEEL the need of GOOD BASKETBALL COACHES to be of primary importance - especially for the younger children who need this game as much as the GAME NEEDS THEM!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-1081743587910897562011-02-05T20:37:00.000-08:002011-02-05T20:56:39.558-08:00A JOURNEY - LINE NONE BEFORE!In two days, I lived a life-time. When I set out at 1 am from Bangalore in my SCORPIO, I knew we both [scorpio and me] could take whatever was dished out to us by way of dirty mud and jelly filled roads - BUT EVEN THEN I WAS SURPRISED! It brought out the best in both of us. MAPS TELL LIES. National highways marked boldly can suddenly have ditches as big as moon craters [OK OK - a little smaller] and you can expect to hear the suspension almost scraping the bottom. AND SUDDENLY out of nowhere, small village roads - open up with garlands in hand - where you can hit as high as 130 Kms.<br /><br />A LIFETIME indeed! I saw a girl child of 7 years full of dusty hair but with a wide smile which I will carry in my memory for the rest of my life. She looked at me - as if challenging me - WILL YOU CHANGE MY LIFE? And I knew I wouldn't be able to. The stifling albatross that hangs around us `middle class' will not allow me to take a stick [ make that SCORPIO ]and walk [drive] away into the big wide world - however so much I may want to. I HAD FAILED YET AGAIN. <br /><br />But I will try - till my last breath - I WILL TRY. The dusty, rocky and barren country-side interspread with boulders forming into hillocks - it is a KARNATAKA where even after one hundred years nothing will change. Oh No, there will be changes - mining for natural resources will keep destroying land, people and all living things whose habitat it has been since time began. A GREED OF FEW - is stripping away any chance that may be there - the living world of animals and plants is heading up a nozzle of extinction.<br /><br />THAT MY VEHICLE - MY SCORPIO - went through all this with me seems we will yet again venture out - even to more remote places. We will together build memories - so that when I sit with people I love - I can share my PAINS and PLEASURES with them. And, of course, the dress rehearsal for my INDIA DRIVING keeps going on. Travelling from Bangalore to Chandigarh seems to be a very real possibility now. AT 58, what more could I ask?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-16246918363015261612010-09-15T17:30:00.000-07:002010-09-15T17:44:35.718-07:00ASK YOURSELF - WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR INDIA'S FUTURE?As a young man, I was often angry that my country was so backward in sports. I used to talk endlessly with my friends about it. Reading the news, watching TV - commenting was our main profession. One day, my wife asked me - YOU TALK SO MUCH, why don't you actually do something. She set me on a journey from which I have never come back. The beginning was very humble - two badminton rackets and a shuttlecock. EVEN TODAY, my efforts are very humble. But I AM ANGRY. There are so many of us - who comment so much on sports - talk endlessly - but never get up from the chair and DO SOMETHING.<br /><br />YOU CAN DO A LOT. Just go to the playground every day - walk, jog or run. Make someone catch you - IT IS SO JOYOUS! Collect a small group of children - make them play. Give them the JOY they so richly deserve. <br /><br />I saw an old man exercising in the basketball court. I asked him, if I could join him. WELCOME, he said. Over a period of few days - others joined us. We made a rule - NO ONE WILL TALK during exercise. Today, the group is almost 50 strong and almost FIVE YEARS old. <br /><br />YOU WILL HAVE MANY REASONS TO - NOT GO TO PLAYGROUND - throw all those reasons in the waste basket. India's future depends on your going to the playground and nothing shall stop you from doing it. The right to comment on others' successes and failures can only then be rightfully yours.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-90238253910537624382010-09-15T06:42:00.000-07:002010-09-15T08:03:42.247-07:00I SHALL LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED TO SEE MY COUNTRY AS A SUPER SPORTS POWER!Never mind the impossibility of the task - I shall walk one step at a time. India shall see my experiment of SELF SUSTAINING SPORTS EDUCATION PROGRAMME incorporated in the educational system of a large school. <br /><br />SPORTS EDUCATION FOR EACH CHILD - UNITS - GROUPS - COMMANDS<br />A unit of ten children will be mentored by a 7th standard student [FULLY TRAINED FOR THIS ROLE]. A group of ten units [100 students] would be mentored by a 10th standard student [FULLY TRAINED FOR THIS ROLE]. FORTY FOUR GROUP INCHARGES will provide SPORTS EDUCATION to 4400 students. FOUR SPORTS COMMANDERS [SENIOR VOLUNTEERS - EITHER TEACHERS OR EX-STUDENTS OR PROFESSIONAL COACHES OR ? ?]will control ELEVEN GROUPS [1100 students]. The number taken by me is for a specific school in Bangalore. This can be varied according to our choice.<br /><br />DEVELOPING HAND AND EYE CO-ORDINATION from early child-hood through various fun games. The brighter ones are put on tougher variables. The brightest are pushed to highest levels. Competitions are regularly held to ensure sustained interest. <br /><br />THE SKIPPING ROPE REVOLUTION - A simple skipping rope can provide endless joy and very high level of fitness. I have seen more than ONE HUNDRED different drills done with the skipping rope. This can be substituted by other materials - small or big balls, rings, batons etc to create enhanced interest.<br /><br />THE GAMES PERIOD - Proper allocation of at least ONE GAMES PERIOD every day FOR EVERY CHILD in which specific skill enhancement is to be done. This can be complimented by providing weekend activities for different groups at different times. Those who are seriously interested in pursuing for competitive level - they can use extra time on Sundays or holidays.<br /><br />CHILD DRIVEN PROGRAMME - When a child enjoys the games period - the learning will be enhanced. Initial teething problems must be squarely sorted out. A change in the mindset THAT IT CAN BE DONE must be driven home.<br /><br />THE ACADEMIC TEACHERS must understand the SPORTS EDUCATION PROGRAMME because without their support it will not succeed. They must be made to understand that SPORTS enhances intelligence and increases focus.<br /><br />REGULAR EXERCISE would give enormous benefits to the health of the children and we may yet see PARENTS DEMANDING SPORTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN. <br /><br />These are very sketchy details. An elaborate project report which will mention the minutest details would be prepared very shortly for receiving FEEDBACK and INPUTS. <br /><br />IF THE MIND IS WILLING THE SKY IS THE LIMIT. I had once conducted an enthralling basketball learning programme for 1300 children. Only recently I conducted a THREE DAY basketball learning programme at J.N.V. LEPAKSHI for 600 students. THIS CAN BE REPLICATED FOR ANY GAME - and by having variety of games - the children have a choice to adopt the game they love.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-46570559779511467952010-07-30T17:17:00.000-07:002010-07-30T17:43:17.226-07:00YOU ARE INVITED - MY DEAR FRIEND - TO A WEEKEND OF GRASS ROOT BASKETBALLThis is a personal invitation from me to you - MY DEAR BASKETBALL FRIENDS! Come and spend a weekend with me to know SUMPOORNA BASKETBALL SCHOOL - the Indian Basketball Initiative. Join me in the basketball court which is full of teeming young children holding, dribbling and shooting the BASKETBALL in full joy. Their enthusiasm - their smiles - THEIR INNOCENCE will rub on to you. YOU SUDDENLY UNDERSTAND WHY THE GAME WAS INVENTED BY DR. NAISMITH.<br /><br />Our weekend will begin on saturday afternoon. We will visit a school - WHICH HAS NEVER HAD A COACH - waited upon by 100 plus students. Tremendous excitement builds up as we make smaller groups. GIVE ME THE BALL - GIVE ME THE BALL - and get out of my way - THEY PROCLAIM. And we do just that. Let them, by touching - by dribbling [in whatever way] satisfy their urge. AND IN THE CROWD enter a few skilled players - dribbling in a more purposeful way. The new enthusiasts of the ball WONDER at this dribbling. Some try to copy - while others just observe. EMBEDDED LEARNING STARTS TO HAPPEN. There is a purpose to their dribbling now. We slowly have their attention.<br /><br />Later in the day, one lesson at a time - the purpose and methods of dribbling are hurriedly explained - AND THE DRILLS BEGIN NOW - inter spread with various humorous relays. It is an extra-ordinary mixture of FUN - DO WHAT YOU PLEASE - LEARNING; conventional coaches beat a hasty retreat shaking their heads NO NO - this is no way to learn basketball. I CAN ONLY SMILE! MAYBE I WILL EVEN LAUGH ALOUD because you would see what has happened in half a day.<br /><br />Subliminal learning is much much faster. I have evolved these methods over the last 25 years. I learnt my basketball in a similar way - since there were no coaches to teach us the game. We had to learn it by ourselves. Our passion for the game - our desire to improve our basics and skills came by and by. These children will also slowly pick up the finer points of the game. THE GAME WILL COME TO THEM!<br /><br />Then my friend, on SUNDAY morning - we will probably visit another basketball court where another one hundred plus will be waiting in different coloured uniforms to play the S.A.B.A.L [sumpoorna annual basketball league] tournament. The teams are picked up and the games begin. One or two rounds of matches are played according to the selection made by me. In the afternoon begins the PLAY-OFFS. By 5pm the finals are over. The referee, the table officials - ALL ARE STUDENTS THEMSELVES. I just sit or stand and wonder - and maybe you would wonder too. Isn't this the finest way of promoting grass root basketball.<br /><br />SO TELL ME WHEN YOU ARE COMING. I REALLY HOPE YOU WOULD COME - to talk to these future basketball players of India. They are always eager to meet GREAT BASKETBALL PLAYERS LIKE YOU.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-88025947020942917702010-07-27T08:49:00.000-07:002010-07-27T09:16:49.114-07:001200 KMS IN 24 HOURS - CREATING MIND BODY FUSION!I have often worked with extremities in my life. Most of them were crazy and the crazier they got - the more I respected myself. How much my mind could take? And how much my body could take? Foolhardiness comes easy to children and youth - it is the elixir of joy for many - as it was for me. But, trying to do at 56 - many would think I had gone bananas. I, however, prefer to eat them.<br /><br />An opportunity came to traverse the northern Karnataka. I didn't miss it. My scorpio moves like a gazelle - I think it has fused its functions with my mind. I drive it subliminally and at the end of every journey I observe that I DIDN'T DRIVE AT ALL. <br /><br />We left at 1 a.m. and we were in Chitradurga at 4 a.m. The drive was a breeze. As we moved into the Chitradurga - Solapur road; the lorries travelling kept increasing. But it wasn't much of a bother - you soon get acclimatised to such vagaries and take them in your stride. Just before Bijapur a traffic jam developed up. We were delayed by almost one hour. Someone told me - sometimes these last hours or even one day. A chill went up my spine. So this is one problem with this highway. But the wonderful co-operation of the lorry drivers saw it cleared through very quickly - and that is a plus point. By 11am we reached our destination.<br /><br />We started back from KAGGODU - the village near Bijapur, which we had visited, by 3pm. We decided that we will travel back to Bangalore - via Hubli, in effect adding 100 Kms to our route. Initially the road looked wonderful - but then at places it was totally ruined. And we had to go through the small towns [as no bye-passes have been built yet]. We reached Hubli by 6-15pm and had to again pass through the city.<br />Initially it was very fine road - then came the problems - at many places the road doubling work is being done - two railway crossings cause traffic jams. Time slowly crawled on us - as at times we moved at a snail's pace. The most discomforting thing was the sign DIVERSION AHEAD is improperly placed. At some places, it is just at the juncture and sometimes deep inside. So, in effect destroying the purpose for which it is put. <br /><br />My colleague, Raja, thought it was time for supper at 9pm. The dal fry and the egg burji is usual for us at Dhabas. The tea was good. As time passed, sleep tried to catch up on me. I stopped for two short naps of 5 minutes each - but they didn't help much. So I took a power nap of ONE HOUR and the last 120 Kms were a breeze. At 3-15 am I reached home and the speedometer read 1198 Kms. I remember, while I was driving the last phase of my drive - SOMEONE PATTED MY BACK AND SAID `WELL DONE'. I suddenly understood I had the energy to go out and seek more challenges. It was the perfect fusion of my mind and body.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-25044214300935877062010-07-23T17:55:00.000-07:002010-07-23T18:40:03.863-07:00THE INDIAN PSYCHE - IN RELATION TO SPORTS!Here is my advise to the SPORTS PROMOTERS from India and outside. Howsoever well meaning your efforts are it wouldn't do any harm to know what is THE INDIAN PSYCHE - IN RELATION TO SPORTS. I don't want to jump up and say YOU - YOU - and YOU are responsible for the Indian sports mess. I hope I can give an objective view. I love India too much to do otherwise. <br /><br />The percentage of people who participate in sports on a regular basis [other than hobli - taluk - district - state level] is very low. So, if you go to the playground regularly YOU ARE ALREADY A FREAK. There is no question of encouragement. There is - of another type. The present generation parents or grandparents are TV SPORTSMEN - they like their sports, on TV, and when they see Sachin Tendulkar - they willingly send their children [paying HUGE AMOUNT of money] to `branded' cricket camps [name of some past cricketer is used as a brand]. And when they see Sania Mirza, they scout for the nearest Tennis academy. What type of fitness these `camps' provide is very well known. They provide participation in `pre-arranged' matches and ensure that the child gets a medal, cup or a certificate to prove that HE IS A SPORTSMAN. <br /><br />We all know the story of how parents are encouraged to PAY MORE MONEY so that their child can become a member of a divisional team. Selection of players for teams leaves lot of heart burning for the genuine players. I am sure everyone has a story to tell. Parents are pro-active in offering considerations in cash and kind so that somehow their child can MAKE IT. Who wouldn't be tempted?<br /><br />IT IS TIME I APOLOGIZED TO ALL THOSE BRAVE-HEART SPORTSMEN, COACHES AND ADMINISTRATORS WHO ARE DOING THEIR WORK GENUINELY - they are the ones who provide an occasional SILVER LINING to the dark cloud of Indian sports. For them sports is a religion - and I bow my head to them.<br /><br />When competition at the top is of a low level - the teams can win only with HELP from different sources. Unfortunately, it is practically impossible to get this clandestine help at the international level - the real test has begun. Most of the genuinely talented players have no god-fathers and the system discards them early on, in effect, shutting up the GENUINE GRASS ROOT SELECTION. Games like basketball are a typical example of this. <br /><br />So what is the answer. Many experiments have been tried. The infamous SIDDHI TRIBALS fiasco [when everyone thought people having African origins] would become world class champions. The sports schools which are run pathetically - as of a Govt. department. Talented coaches are shunted to far off desolate places and those who are stationed at PLUM PLACES enjoy the fruits. NOW WITH THE SUCCESS OF IPL, everyone wants to `clone' the system to their game. So suddenly everyone is talking of having professional leagues. There is a rush to jump on the bandwagon. THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER.<br /><br />The answer lies within us. GIVE RESPECT TO SPORTS AND THE SPORTSMEN. Do not treat them like freaks. They bring glory to the country and are due that respect. I oldly state this - IN OLDEN TIMES WE CONQUERED COUNTRIES TO SHOW OUR SUPERIORITY, in the modern world IT IS ABOUT WINNING MATCHES. Spain is a world superpower in sports with the winning of the world cup. AND NURTURE THE COACHES TOO - they are the hen mothers without which no success is possible. The sports administrators have to OVERHAUL THEIR THINKING in a revolutionary way. There is too much of dead-wood in the organizations - it is time to cast it away. SPORTS IS SLOWLY BECOMING BUSINESS - all these years it was treated in a very shabby way. Sportsmen want larger pay-checks, which is their due. The real thing is to promote sports at par with academics - parents, schools, sports organizations - must work towards that end. THE COMPETITION should begin at an early age and MERIT should decide the winners.<br /><br />I am no fool. Utopia won't come in one day. But let us at least recognize the problems and then go ahead and solve them. It will not be easy - there are going to be many battles - BUT THE WAR MUST BE WON! At stake is our national pride!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-47320221394304355692010-07-08T17:15:00.000-07:002010-07-08T17:44:39.364-07:00MAKING MORE ENEMIES THAN FRIENDS!The young children I trained became better and better. Suddenly there was a buzz in the air - THAT BASKETBALL WAS COOL! Officers from the PSU, past basketball players and politicos of the game started coming in to give ADVISE. Everyone wanted a share in the WINNING HORSE. Then another thing happened - all HANDBALL players [some of them state, national and international players] wanted to play basketball. Occasionally, cricket and hockey players too wanted to play the game for WARM UP. The game was becoming too popular [READ - MAHAJAN WAS BECOMING TOO POPULAR]. Other coaches didn't like it - though there was a smile on their face when they wished me.<br /><br />AND SUDDENLY, we started getting interference from the `official' basketball team - which suddenly decided to change its timing to `coincide' with our timing. Old stalwarts of the game - who had been the COACHES during past two decades, who were in the team more for the `LEAVES' they could enjoy than for playing - suddenly united against the common enemy - ME.<br /><br />I was getting suffocated - when suddenly, another horizon opened up. A leading school of the city asked me to be a part-time coach for their school. FOR THE FIRST TIME, I WAS GOING TO BE PAID FOR DOING WHAT I LOVED! The news spread fast - according to all I WAS GOING TO BE PAID AN ASTRONOMICAL SUM. This didn't make many people happy. What happened in the school MUST BE A SEPARATE STORY.<br /><br />To silence all my enemies and FRIENDS [?] TOO - I proposed that we conduct an event called MICRO-OLYMPICS. Every player, coach and administrator would be involved. One thousand children from the neighbouring schools would be invited from standards I to V to participate in FIVE DISCIPLINES - for those interested I shall prepare the technical details and post it later. Suddenly I WAS A HERO - there was unity all around. To make the event successful - everyone pitched in - some joined up to `mock' at what we were doing. But even their eyes popped out in wonder, when the march past of these ONE THOUSAND CHILDREN took place. I was THE CHEF DE MISSION and I behaved like one. It was, the most astounding event of my career. <br /><br />In the meantime, my basketball boys and girls were growing up - their victories and losses were being hailed. The nine year olds were becoming thirteen year olds and a group emerged from this batch that went on to surpass every one's expectations. Some senior players [GENUINE] started giving these boys and girls tips - and some senior players [NON-GENUINE] started abusing these children by saying YOUR COACH DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT BASKETBALL. My non-conventional way of coaching wasn't going well with them. One day, just to spite me, they invited me to play along with them. They were incredulously shocked when I shot FOUR - three pointers to stamp my class. My defense too was impeccable - and instead of making me look like a joker they got mud on their faces. My students cheered me - WE HAD MADE MORE ENEMIES! But we had FRIENDS too.<br /><br />These FRIENDS made a scapegoat out of me and I finally quit the scene at the PSU. Things were hotting up at the school and that part is next.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-78985197454082433562010-07-08T01:13:00.000-07:002010-07-08T01:37:20.175-07:00THE COACH WHO WASN'T A COACHEven today I feel like THE BLUE JACKAL who acted like the king of the forest. I was never trained to be a coach but I became a coach. The club loved me because I brought huge crowds of children into the stadium. The barren look most of the stadiums have is because SPORTS is supposed to be very tough - and the look most sportsmen support on their faces is nothing to crow about. IT IS VERY VERY SERIOUS. So children tend to stay away from BIG STADIUMS. I changed all that. My children could run 10 rounds or even 20 rounds around the stadium - and so could other new-comers; because there were always innovation in my `warm ups'. WE CLIMBED HILLS for warm up during week-ends. There were very few hills, we didn't climb up. I was known as the man WHO TOOK CHILDREN FOR TREKKING. I didn't mind. I was building their minds and bodies.<br /><br />Our girls' team was beaten with 32-0 score and the boys team did little better by losing with 28-0. Later, they told us that the other team had FOUR state players playing for them. For a week, I stopped going to the stadium - I was so frustrated.<br />FUN WAS OK - matches couldn't be won with smiles on our faces. After a week, I came back to the basketball court fully prepared. For one week, I searched in the Library for BASKETBALL COACHING MANUALS. I learnt `man-to-man' marking versus zone defence. I must have read more than twenty books - I even read YMCA's rules of sports and games. I WAS TRAINING MYSELF TO BE A COACH. <br /><br />Then we got another call from the same team - THEY WERE ASKING - WANT ANOTHER THRASHING? We asked them for two more weeks. They agreed. I do not know what happened in the next fifteen days. I started playing with them - and as I played, I found my three pointers going in - my hook shots started going in and I hardly ever missed my free throws. AND THE KIDS STARTED COPYING ME. Never again I was going to coach again - the best way to coach, I found, was to be in the court - playing with them. They will pick up the `skills' subliminally and it would indeed be SELF LEARNING. I was the best defensive player during my university days - I exactly knew how to steal the ball; and as I went back to my `basket balling days' my children learnt to copy - and to my amazement, some developed little variables on my style. Our confidence grew leaps and bounds. We lost our second match with this team but the scores told the story. Boys 46-32 - Girls 34 - 29! <br /><br />PART III - LaterAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-49859968146507105482010-07-08T00:39:00.000-07:002010-07-08T01:04:26.437-07:00HOW I BECAME A BASKETBALL COACH?The last I had played basketball was when I was 19 during my B.Com days - in Punjab University at CHANDIGARH. Now I can't imagine even one day without BASKETBALL - playing, coaching or writing about it. It is a long story but I will make it as short as possible. When I saw the sports facilities being provided to my son were totally inadequate - I made myself an ALL GAMES COACH! We played football, rugby, handball, athletics, trekking, hill climbing, table tennis and finally the game of our country - CRICKET. As I worked with a very large group of children who became my students, it was easy to see why they were attracted to me - YOU COULD PLAY WHATEVER YOU WANTED TO.<br /><br />By chance, one day I saw a basketball court very near to my son's school and since I knew the game well - I gravitated towards it. I innovated rules which allowed 100 children to divide into two teams and play the game. WE ENJOYED - but some puritans of basketball didn't like it - WE IGNORED THEM. There were, of course, some basketball players who had see been around for long - THEY LIKED MY WAY. I had introduced the concept of FUN in basketball, which otherwise seemed very boring. So, it was indeed a surprise for the club management when they found more than 80 children wanted to join the summer camp - where, earlier, hardly 15-20 children were force-sent by their parents. And, a journey began for me - when I was politely told that WE HAVE MANY CLUB MEMBERS and that I cannot bring my crowd of children there. I WAS KICKED OUT. <br /><br />We went back to our football playing - trekking - and other sports. Luckily, a township of a public sector company became my next stop. For almost one year, we did sports the way no one had done earlier. I became a SPORTS SCIENTIST - I discovered methodologies that attracted children. For almost two months, we did EXCITING ATHLETICS - we even had examinations! Ha Ha. IT WAS FUN with capitals. Children just loved it - and I loved children. I had meandered into life thinking less of my business and more of the GAMES. Of course, that cannot be a part of this story.<br /><br />AND THEN, we found an abandoned basketball court - hardly used, but very nicely made. It belonged to a prestigious research institute. Boldly, we started playing there - but lo behold, the security officer asked whether we were children of the staff. We weren't - so please do not come and play here. From there we went to an engineering college and were again kicked out, because the engineering college students of that college played cricket in the court. A seething anger over the injustice to my students slowly took over. But we wouldn't give up - rather, I WOULDN'T GIVE UP.<br /><br />Another big public sector company had a beautiful stadium along with a very nice basketball court. Not many played basketball - so the few boys there welcomed us, because they could easily beat our team. It was 7th and 8th students versus PUC students. They enjoyed beating us - we enjoyed playing basketball. Then, a miracle took place. The Secretary, of this club, approached me and asked me if I wanted to be the coach. Anyway, every day, you bring a crowd of children - whom you coach so nicely - so why don't you do it officially. FINALLY I HAD BECOME A RECOGNIZED COACH!<br /><br />PART II - Later ----Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-88345583184696406142010-06-30T09:12:00.000-07:002010-06-30T09:38:44.131-07:00YOU SLAPPED HER - YOU SLAPPED ME - YOU SLAPPED INDIA!What shall I say? I can see the marks of a slap on your face - I can see the bubbling tears that you are trying to hold. I can feel the sting of the slap on my face. I believe, whoever has slapped you - HAS SLAPPED INDIA. If your crime is to have WANTED TO PLAY - if your crime is to have SHOT THE WINNING BASKET for the glory of your school - then the teacher of that school WHO SLAPS YOUR FACE - needs to be handcuffed and thrown in a prison. <br /><br />I CANNOT TOLERATE A SLAP ON THE FACE OF INDIA - I cannot tolerate a slap on your face, YOU, my basketball player student. How many times, you have worn my basketball uniform - how many times, you have worn my shoes - HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE SILENTLY seen your torn clothes, torn shoes with which you attend the camps. And you rightly take away all that is mine as yours - YOU ARE THE DREAM THAT INDIA MUST DREAM! For your sweat and toil in playing basketball is a service this nation must recognize.<br /><br />THE SLAP is a reminder, that this is what we must fight - prejudicial attitude towards sports - towards joy of living - towards being a child. Come, hold my hand and walk along with me to the greatness that awaits you - for I dedicate my life to you - THE INDIAN SPORTING CHILD! I shall cut the next hand that slaps you - the hand that slaps MY INDIA. For my India lives in its children!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-137610547557205052010-06-29T19:19:00.000-07:002010-06-29T19:39:50.116-07:00THE OSAMA BIN LADEN WITHIN US!Yesterday I experienced - what I thought I never would! I travelled to a town which is a suburb of Bangalore [the most modern city of India]. I was told about the following FATWAS : <br /><br />A. Boys and girls of undergraduate classes shall not ride on Scooties or Mobikes to<br /> the College Rs.500 is the fine, if caught. <br /><br />B. Girls shall not wear jeans to the college.<br /><br />c. Boys and girls shall not TALK to each other. A variable issued by a `liberal'<br /> college is that they shall not talk TOO MUCH! [What does that word mean]?<br /><br />d. Boys and girls of PUC shall not TALK about sports or participate in sports!<br /><br />e. They shall not participate in TOURNAMENTS unless it is organized by the college<br /> itself [WHICH THE COLLEGE WILL DAMN WELL TRY NOT TO]!<br /><br />f. SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES are trying to provide EXTENDED STUDY HOURS, well beyond they<br /> should - so that students cannot have ANY OTHER LIFE other than being students.<br /> Parents are willing to spend extra thousands so that their child will stay in the<br /> school or college from 7am to 6pm.<br /><br />I am sure these FATWAS couldn't have come TO BE - without the active support of the parents. WE ARE ALL OSAMA BIN LADENS - let us make no bones about it. Those who made these rules - and those who are aware of it but DO NOT DO ANYTHING in the name of IT IS NEEDED.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7345515290002933730.post-60208156016604334572010-06-19T15:29:00.000-07:002010-06-19T15:58:19.660-07:00YENIGADALE - THE BALL WILL BOUNCE AS MY HEART POUNDS!The call has come from JAWAHAR NAVODAYA VIDYALAYA, YENIGADALE. The children want SUMPOORNA to come and help them learn basketball. I remember the last visit - I WAS MOBBED BY THE STUDENTS [specially GIRLS]. When are you coming - was the chant. I want to get mobbed again - JOIN ME IN A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE OF BEING A COACH WITHOUT BORDERS. <br /><br />AND in this quest 12 selected children will join me to help sustain the new `love' for basketball that more than two hundred JNVites have developed. A pot-holed road leads to Yenigadale, so remote is the place that few venture here. BUT THERE IS A BASKETBALL COURT HERE - not one BUT TWO. Sumpoorna has travelled to all those who have called - so pick up your phone and dial 98860 20145. <br /><br />From 2nd July to 4th July, the ball will bounce in JNV, Yenigadale from 7am to 7pm - and my heart will pound louder and louder. I LOVE CHILDREN - I LOVE BASKETBALL; and the only way I want to live for the rest of my life is combining these two. My own communion with God takes place when I play the game - as I hope my students will too one day get a SIMILAR JOY. <br /><br />Sometimes I surprise myself. I had planned on going to SUMPOORNA and stay alone for a period of two months to rejuvenate myself. IT WAS JULY AND AUGUST - and here comes this invitation for 2nd to 4th July. Whenever there is a call for Basketball learning by children - I shall be there - MY DESTINY IS IN THEIR HANDS. <br /><br />I have often been asked WHAT IS IT ABOUT BASKETBALL that you like. My answer is very simple - IT IS THE PRAYER OF MY LIFE - IT IS MY EXPRESSION OF JOY - IT IS THE WAY TO FACE THE WORLD. It is a weapon given by God to me - it is my Brahma-Astra.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14360712640892227101noreply@blogger.com0