Marathon Sunday...

They say, Marathon race is not just a race. It's a celebration, a kind of triumph of human mind, body and soul. But I think, It's not just a celebration of that triumph, it's perhaps an education that helps in a rediscovery of oneself. I've experienced it once again today.

Although I didn't run in the race. I covered Thane varsha Marathon. You know, I really had a Marathon ride through Thane City. But I enjoyed it. (Just I missed the rains... well, that happens!)

My day too, was a real Marathon Day- started at 4 am and is yet to end. but it's been quite a nice day. (well, not quiet, but perhaps one of the nicest of past fortnight or so. ) Today, I kept all thoughts away, except my duty, literally I mean. and then when I got somt time, I had again jumbled up a lot of thoughts. ( Oh I need to get over this-whatevr it is- as soon as possible) Oh dear, there are so many things that Ive to do! really, my whole life is going to be like a Marathon again... but right now I need to take rest.

Deccan Queen

She's Supercool, She's Beautiful,
She's the Queen, She's Deccan Queen...

I came home by Deccan Queen today. Now you'll ask, what's so special about it? (except that I got home early today.) well, it's everything!

Travelling aboard Deccan Queen from CST to Pune was one of my childhood dreams. Oh don't laugh! We do have such dreams in those days. Once we are grown-up our dreams too, get too complex and too difficult to achieve ( and too painful, too...) But yes, I always wanted to travel in Deccan Queen.

I stil remember how we used to go to the station (somebody used to take us) We used to go there to see the Deccan Queen. We'd be ready to wait on it in the rain as well. Back then, it was such a posh train! I always felt, and still I feel, so proud that once left from VT the Queen stops nowhere but in Karjat...

Back then, it was a really really very beautiful train (and it is still, although it has lost its past glory) I always felt jealous about people who daily travelled by Deccan Queen.

So many new trains have come, but for me, still Deccan is the queen. Whenever I see her, I just feel- What a Train! Such a great history! and great pride! Really Deccan is still the Train with attitude. And I saw that attitude again today. You know, she passes through like a true queen- ruffling away the dust from the platforms after platforms. Today, it ruffled away from my mind the burden of all the thoughts as well...

Left Over

When you go down the hill, you just can't stop yourself going down..

seems like the left parties have made a habit of ruinning there chances of getting in to the "main-stream" of powerhouse in India. So many times they have missed the chances of doing something out of the box, so many times they have failed to earn the confidence of the people. Oh, yes, the one that needs to be proven in the parliament as well as the one that is called the Political Goodwill. Now what will happen this time? I don't know. or rather I don't want to know. it's been a lot of politics on my mind. I need a break...

Triumph and Disaster...

"If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster,

And treat those two impostors just the same... "

These famous lines from Rudyard Kipling's "If..." are inscribed over the player's entrance to the Wimbledon's Centre Court. Last night, they were personified on the same venue. Roger Federer, who ruled over the lawns of SW 19 met with the worst lost of his career, only after putting the best fight of his life so far.

I sort of didn't want to watch the match, but I also didn't want to miss it. The drama the tension... Finally I got to see it and I'm glad that I did watch it. What a Match! On Every point they played, Roger and Rafa poured their heart out (and gave me a heart-attack!)

As an whole-hearted supporter of Roger, I desperately wanted him to lift the golden trophy for a sixth consecutive time. But right from the beginning, Rafa took the control. Everyone called me to tease about Roger's loss. But they forgot, one shall never write-off a Champion of Federer's calliber for just like that.

He not just came up from two sets down, but forced the match to a fifth set. still that was not enough to stop Rafa.

Don't know why, but I didn't feel devastated to see Roger loose. rather, I enjoyed the great exhibition of tennis from both the players. And Rafa might have dethorned him, but for me and for all his fans, Roger is still the best ever and most elegent.

I didn't feel hurt when Rafa lift the trophpy, but it really pained to watch Roger after the losss. angry with himself, but Calm and Composed as ever... So Cute!!!

The End was inevitable, although it came late. It came after four hours and fourty- eight minuits of play, it came when the dusk was falling on Wimbledon's Centre Court. With Rafa's victory, the match ended in darkness but Tennis was shining in the brightest lights...

V for Venus, W for Wimbledon

So Venus has done it again... This time, she did it by beating her young sister Serena.

And now I hope Federer repeats his feat again as well...

Le Tour Arrive

"Finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. But this is one hell of a race. This is a great sporting event and you should stand around and believe it. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it. "

- Lance Armstrong in his Podium farewell speech, Tour de France, July 24, 2005

This is one of my favourite quotes. And you guessed it right, why I put it here right now- The Tour De France is starting from tomorrow.

This is one of my favourite event, and I wish to visit France and see it one day. But sadly, since some years, the tour is known more for the doping drama and not for the action...

Beauty of the Beast- Monsoon as I saw today.

Sometimes, one gets confused, whether to listen to heart or to brain. Well, with me that happens quite often. And most of the times, I go against the call of my heart. (Arrogant Janhavee! Such conceit about herself!)

Today, I did the same and got punished once again. It was raining hard since last evening and Trains were not on schedule (well, when do they? ) It was too gloomy in the morning. I was not at all feeling like going out. But I went and got stranded near Badlapur. (and then had to return home, when I really wanted to go to work.)

Now you'll say, 'what's new about it? people in Mumbai get into such situations quite often.' Yes, they do, but not me. Never befor this year, I got into any problem during the monsoon. But this time, twice it rained hard and twice I suffered. And that was very bad (See I'm still sneezing, God Bless!)

Still, my love for monsoon is unmoved. And so, even in today's deludge I found some beautiful moments. Just wanted to share them with the world. ( okey, okey, over to pictures- I've already typed a lot of words. ;) )

......................................................................................................................................................................

1.

From the Sinhagad Express- near Badlapur, the visibility was really very low...

2.

That's a stream into the River Ulhas...

3.

And the Overflowing River Ulhas- at her full force...

4.

Can you spot Mountains in these pictures? They are somewhere near the horizon...

5.

That's Matheran Hills surrounded by clouds

6.

Somewhere in these clouds is the famous Ashane-Koshane Waterfalls (at Bhivpuri Rd., Near Karjat) can't spot it at all, such was the downpour

7.

That's me in the train- tired because of all the mayhem yet happy to be with the nature . I was shievering with cold still standing in the wind, height of Monsoon madness.

(In the back-drop are hills outside Karjat, which are obiviously lost somewhere in the clouds! )

8.

And Finally, when the skies opened up.... lights and darkness, scenery and machines- the Monsoon at it's best...

It's just the start of July, Monsoon is going to stay. and I'm going to enjoy... But got to go now, need a lot of rest.

End of Pain for Spain...

"Sometimes people mention those that are merely there,

but to be merely there is not enough.

A final must be won, because the one that comes second is forgotten.
We have to win it."

- Luis Aragones, Coach of the Spainish National Football Team.

On the Football pitch, nobody but Spain knew how it feels to come second, third, or fourth. Let it be any big tournament, but the Spainsh were always tagged as the 'perennial underachiever'. But that tag is now recycled for at least another two years.

I'm not an expert of the game, not even a big footie-fan. But I can say that this spanish squad has a lot of talent, and most importantly, the spirit of a winner. I guess, it must be because of Aragones, a very assertive man in the match. and in Iker Casillas they have a great leader. Casillas, the captain who is a skilled goal keeper, is really an agressive player. (and a really cute one!) I'm happy that finally Spain got a title under their belt.

But I'm really feeling sad for Germany. I liked their team but they lost. You know, it still pains me that Ballack lost. You know, It was a hard match for me for my heart was with Germany but my brain was with Spain. ultimately Brain won! but I'm not heartbroken. ;)

It's a lot of words... to read, I mean

I had promised myself (and to my best friend) that I'll keep writing regularly. but seems like it'll be hard to write anything for a few days, I've got a lot of words- not to write but to read.


you know, today I got to buy a lot of books and now I need a lot of time to read them. So I might not be here that often.


And right now, I need a lot of rest. See ya!

Silver Jubilee of a Day of Hope

As a child, I remember, my mother and uncle used to tell me about greatest moments in sports- two events were mentioned more often than others. First was Bjorn Borg’s famous five-setter win over McEnroe in 1980 and the other being India’s World Cup triumph.

I was not even born when India lift the World Cup in 1983. But the visuals of that famous victory are so afresh in mind as if I have witnessed it myself. Well, that is the case with many young Indians of my generation. Many of us have grown up listening to the stories of that great victory.

Truly, 25th June 1983 was the day of India. All changed within those eight hours at Lords. An underdog team crushed the double world champions and got the Prudential Cup. Nobody had thought that this will ever come to reality. Nobody had even dreamt of it. It was only the self belief of those 14 men and the strong will of their exceptional leader that made the impossible possible. That moment, accelerated the Cricket in this nation and that moment still inspires us.

25 years hence that splendid run, Cricket in India has grown up to new highs. The country has become financial hub of this game. We have got a bunch of famous victories, but nothing can still match the intensity of that day. What is it that makes 1983 victory so special?

It is perhaps the fact that it came at a time when the country needed hope. It came at a time when nobody expected India to do well. It came at a time when Indian Hockey had started loosing it's Olympic glory.

It is so special because it stirred the middle class of this country and inspired them to get over the miseries of their lives. That was a once in the lifetime moment which awokened the aspirations of this country- a perfect example of how a sport can have a profound impact on the nations.

And it is more special because it was brought by the new age-Indians like the Captain Kapil Dev, who came not from the metros, who had not got the Oxford degrees under their belt, but who dared to take risks, who dared to challenge the mighty and were ready to fight till the end.

Kudos to that glorious generation!