Last Call - to save the mother earth

A must watch video for all, especially Americans. http://storyofstuff.com/ . I found it very informational. Watch and share with your near and dear ones. Lets start contributing.

BCCI Power

Bigger than the test series drama was the Harbhajan's racial abuse episode. Only Bhajji knows, if he called Symonds a 'monkey' or not. Justice has come, and Bhajji along with the Indian team is now relieved/relaxed with a sense of victory. On the other hand, Aussies who managed to hand a 3 match ban to Bhajji through the Umpires and Mr Procter (match referee), are furious and dejected as can be seen in the picture below.

Money speaks. BCCI's riches forced the ACB (Aus Cricket Board) to bend on their knees, as BCCI threatened to cancel the ongoing tour. The T-20 match alone is expected to attract big crowds, even Bigger contracts from the Broadcasters, basically Millions of $$, which ACB can't afford to loose.Umpires/referres/Players all now know the BCCI's (financial) power, they run the world cricket. Saying all this, I believe that there should be equal standards for all teams/players, treat them all equal. Although, history shows, that it’s the sub-continent players, who have been at the receiving end always. So let’s hope for things to get better, so that we spectators can enjoy this gentleman's game.

Without doubt, Aussies started and mastered the on field sledging, until Indians gave it back to them. I assume, with all that has happened, there will be very little sledging, if any, in the ODI series. But, Aussies are real professionals, and Yuvi's absence is only going to hurt India chances as Aussies will look to fight back even harder.

The 10 Sikh Gurus

Everyday as I pray, I remember the 10 Sikh Gurus. But unlike now, I just did not not want to say their names, rather I wanted to think of something that they did for us as I remember them everyday, and thank them from my heart, for how they gave big contributions for the faith. So here is the list, and I think about it as I say my prayer, which helps me realize the importance of the Guru in my life and motivates me to live with the strong principles the Guru's had.

1. Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
* Founder of Sikhism, his message: Naam Japō (meditate), Kirat Karō (Work hard), Vand Chakkō (Share with less fortunate)
2. Guru Angad Dev Ji
* Formalized the present form of the Gurmukhi script
3. Guru Amardas Ji
* Langar (Free Blessed Food), abolished the Caste System, his service to the Guru at old age.
4. Guru Ramdas Ji
* Author of Laava, the hymns of the Marriage Rites, Designed the Golden Temple.
5. Guru Arjan Dev Ji
* First Sikh Guru to be martyred, Compiled the holy Sikh Book, Developed the holy city of Amritsar.
6. Guru Har Gobind Ji
* Built the Akal Takhat, Gave the concept of Miri and Piri(The temporal and the spiritual power)
7. Guru Har Rai Ji
* Excommunicated Ram Rai Ji (his Son) from the Sikh Panth, for he distorted Gurbani to please the King.
8. Guru Harkrishan Ji
* The child Guru, who did unselfish sewa, and provided cure to thousands suffering from smallpox
9. Guru Teg Bahadur Ji
* Was martyred for saving the Kashmiri Pandits, who were being persecuted by the Mughals
10. Guru Gobind Singh Ji
* The creation of the Khalsa (The current form) was the greatest work of the Guru

Bharat Ratna

Bharat Ratna India's highest civilian award, which is awarded for the highest degrees of national service was in the news recently. Someone recommended Sachin's name for the reward. Within no time all political parties who were like waiting for this event, proposed the names of their favorite leaders. BJP proposed Mr Vajapayi, Mayawati stood for Kansi Ram and there were many more. A political move, to get into lime light, they perhaps forgot that the award comes for national service and not just for being a politician. At the end of the day, the Govt decided not to honor anyone with Bharat Ratna this year. So its been 7 years the award was last given.

Sachin has been rewarded with The Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honor. And he deserves the honor, he is one of the best cricketer ever and he has been a match winner for India for almost two decades.

As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم)

On my way back home today, as I was crossing the road, the cab caller on the road side, asked me "Sir, you want the cab". I said "No", he smiled and said "As-Salāmu `Alaykum"- which is the greeting in Islam, commonly used in middle east. I smiled back looking at him, I didn't even reply back, and started to think as I crossed the road, that when will the world know about Sikhs and Sikhism. That guy mistook me for an Arab, as I wear a turban like all Sikhs do.

I believe it will take some time, as I realize, that not all Sikhs know the true meaning of a Sikh. I met some Indians who were surprised to know, that I don't eat meat and drink. For them, a Sardar means lots of chicken and beer. Some confused me for Naamdhari or Radhasoami, that incident hurt me, and forced me to think hard as to how things have changed so much.

To finish off, I will add some happy moments too. When in Europe and here in US, at the shop or on the road or at the station, someone will come and wish me 'Sat Shri Akal' or 'Paaji ki haal chaal' (how are you brother'). It feels good at that time, as they could identify me for the way I look. A proud khalsa.

Only the Guru knows, when the Khalsa will rise and be seen as a Khalsa and not mistaken for anything else.

Memorable Win@Perth

Harbhajan Singh, not in the squad, did the honors with the Indian flag

After a demoralizing ill-fated defeat at Sydney, when every one counted the men in Blue as down and out, they came thundering back and swept the might Aussies on the floor at their so called home den-Perth.

It was a remarkable team effort, and they handed the Aussies their 1st defeat in last 10 yrs at Perth. History repeated itself, and it was again India who broke their 16 match winning streak. Remember the 2001 series, when they tormented Steve Waugh's believed to be unbeatable team, at the famous Eden Gardens.

This test will go into the record books as one of the greatest Indian wins abroad. Each player gave 100% and Kumble's captaincy should be praised. Indians have a good chance to turn the tables around again at Adelaide now. Keep watching.

Historical SCG test match

The match that was marred by Controversies. What was expected to be the match of the series will now go into the record books as one with the most controversies. At one point when India looked in great position to win the match or at least get an encouraging draw later on, in came into the limelight Mr Bucknor very well supported by not only the 2nd umpire MR Benson, but also the TV umpire BNJ Oxenford. Indians at the end of the match are down and out psychologically, as they lost a match that they could have won actually. It will take an extra ordinary effort to get out of this. The players are getting immense support from all around, because they played very good cricket. I don’t remember when the Indian team got this much of support even on loosing a match.

A couple of decisions here and there will never matter, to err is Human. But the wrong decisions in this not so happy test match at the SCG were just too many to be counted on fingers. And unfortunately majority of them went against the Indians. To add to the wounds, the decisions involved the key players, Symonds (not given out on 3 occasions, all were easy decisions) went on to make highest test score and then the Wall and the man in the form of his life (Dravid & Ganguly) both fell to wrong decisions. Had the wrong decisions involved tailender batsmen like Stuart Clark or RP Singh, not much would have been said.

One can always debate a LBW, but how can one defend a clear caught behind, which was even heard in the stands, and what about the stumping that was never referred to the 3rd Umpire. To add more insult, Bhajji has been suspended for 3 matches, when there are no audio/video, in fact no evidences against him. Sachin and the whole team and the BCCI is with Bhajji, really nice to see that. I hope things turn around and the ban is revoked. I doubt, if the tour will be cancelled as there is so much of money involved, may be which has more value than the self respect for the BCCI.

The Indians should forget it fast, so as it doesn’t impact the next 2 matches, easier said than done.

Questions (not so relevant) that come to my Mind: Why is there no Indian umpire in the world cricket today? In fact there are hardly any umpires from Pak and SL, these countries aren't new to cricket. Effort should be made to bring umpires from these countries as well, and retire the 60+ umpires like our very own Mr Bucknor. Records show that he is involved in dubious decisions against Tendulkar on more than one occasion. I have never seen an Indian match referee.

Suggestion: With the wealth power that BCCI have, they should strongly voice their support for the players and the team. I’m sure even ICC can’t afford to loose the revenues from India.