I was one of those patriotic sports lovers, who criticised the SYSTEM (To me, it includes all those negative factors pulling us down as a nation), for our performance at all levels of sports and games. I was one among those 1 billion inferior souls. Before a few days, when the whole world was preparing for this big event, The Beijing Olympics, I read an article in Economic Times, which said that BRIC nations has grown its gold medals tally 40% over the last three Olympics. It made me so proud for a moment before my grey cells started doing that math, because it includes India in that four nation bloc. There was no reason for me to be proud as an Indian, for that statement, as India had contributed no gold to increase the count. Yeah, I could have been proud because we did not decrease the count :). There should be many like me, who thought, why a country with so huge population could not even win a single medal. It was deep bruise in so many hearts.
Yesterday, came the ointment, which I call "The Bindra Soothe'r". Abinav Bindra, won the first individual gold medal in the Olympics, for our nation, in the 10 metre air rifle event.
Still there can be discussions and debates about the SYSTEM, on whether IT had any contribution in his run to the podium, whether the SYSTEM is conducive in the same way to all class of sports(wo)men, whether it is just an event or a good start. For now, leaving behind these debates, it is really soothing to hear our national anthem being played at the Olympics.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Muttai to Nandhu
Today morning I got a call from Nanthakumar, when I was about to wake up from my second innings of sleep. It was a casual call, having no significance to this topic. The significance was the first sentence that I spoke, which pushed me to write. The sentence is "Tell Nandhu", in our vernacular. It might sound quite normal without having enough background.
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The year is 1998 and the scene is set at Dr. Mahalingam College of Engineering and Technology, Pollachi. It was my first year in engineering, rather our first year engineering. The hostel, which enclosed a variety of dialects, variety of characters due to variety of students from a variety of region across the state, was always overflowing with excitement. My abode was room number 108. The neighboring room 109 was occupied by Nanthakumar from Namakkal. As days passed people in the neighboring rooms came closer, as do me and Nanthakumar. This is when Nanthakumar, a very innocent guy, was baptized "Muttai" against his will and wish. It means "Egg", denoting "Namakkal - Highest egg producing place", where he hails from. This became a very popular name among our college-mates. Everyone recognized him more with this name than his original one. I was one among those behind this baptism and the users.
Nine years passed by. I worked with one of the technology company among the many, which dotted Bangalore, as any Electronic engineer would do. Nanthakumar followed his passion and had cleared the UPSC exams, with a distinction of first rank holder from our state. He was undergoing training at Mussourie. The frequency of contact was reduced, though we were in touch.
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This year, he is undergoing training as Asst. Collector, Coimbatore. We talk quite often, to be in touch, though he has got little free time. But I m little hesitant to call him by name, which we baptized, "Muttai". This became quite apparent when I addressed him as "Nadhu", this morning. As I ponder, I have different reasons like he should not be called by that name in front of other sub-ordinates and so. But the reality is basically the "Glorified and Respectful" designation that he is holding, which makes me hesitant.
This is the best example of taking the criticism head-on and reply back with actions.
@@@@@@@@@Flashback@@@@@@@@@
The year is 1998 and the scene is set at Dr. Mahalingam College of Engineering and Technology, Pollachi. It was my first year in engineering, rather our first year engineering. The hostel, which enclosed a variety of dialects, variety of characters due to variety of students from a variety of region across the state, was always overflowing with excitement. My abode was room number 108. The neighboring room 109 was occupied by Nanthakumar from Namakkal. As days passed people in the neighboring rooms came closer, as do me and Nanthakumar. This is when Nanthakumar, a very innocent guy, was baptized "Muttai" against his will and wish. It means "Egg", denoting "Namakkal - Highest egg producing place", where he hails from. This became a very popular name among our college-mates. Everyone recognized him more with this name than his original one. I was one among those behind this baptism and the users.
Nine years passed by. I worked with one of the technology company among the many, which dotted Bangalore, as any Electronic engineer would do. Nanthakumar followed his passion and had cleared the UPSC exams, with a distinction of first rank holder from our state. He was undergoing training at Mussourie. The frequency of contact was reduced, though we were in touch.
@@@@@@@@@Flashback@@@@@@@@@
This year, he is undergoing training as Asst. Collector, Coimbatore. We talk quite often, to be in touch, though he has got little free time. But I m little hesitant to call him by name, which we baptized, "Muttai". This became quite apparent when I addressed him as "Nadhu", this morning. As I ponder, I have different reasons like he should not be called by that name in front of other sub-ordinates and so. But the reality is basically the "Glorified and Respectful" designation that he is holding, which makes me hesitant.
This is the best example of taking the criticism head-on and reply back with actions.
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