Death - Mourning & Celebration

Events surrounding two high profile deaths in the past week have made me worried about where we are moving as a society, me included.

 Bal Thackerey. Noone can deny that he was controversial, admired and followed. But in keeping with the common tradition of not talking ill of someone who just passed away, media kept to its script. Mumbai also followed the expected routine – long marches, public display, cousins’ feud and total bandh. All was fine till a girl decided to post something which she never expected to create such an issue. In my opinion, what she did was insensitive and silly, but definitely not deserving arrest.

          But thinking about it, the arrest is the best thing that could have happened – to her, her family, the mourners and all others. If I were the head of Police in Mumbai, I definitely would have done the same, not because it was right, but because it was the most practical. In one stroke, the arrest protected her and her family – the police could never have saved her from the attackers by posting policemen outside her house, satisfied the sainiks and prevented a riot like situation.

               

         But what worries me most is the intolerance. Are we ready to take up arms and fight for everything? Who decides what is right and who is to be punished? The frenzied, pumped-up mob on the road?

----

Kasab. No controversy here. He did a heinous crime and deserved the highest punishment possible. But I am not sure if even the courts and the President can decide to kill someone, whatsoever the crime is. One half of me says, no one, I repeat, no one has the authority to extinguish life out of anyone. The other half says, “rarest of rare criminals” do deserve capital punishment.

 I noticed a Gandhian saying Kasab must be hanged in public (Wah!) , a film director saying that he would love to see Kasab lynched to death and the public celebrating as if it was Diwali all over again. What is happening to the country? Are we any different from Afghanistan and Taliban? Kasab is dead, it is a fact. A quiet satisfaction is the most extreme reaction I can think of. I just cant imagine celebrating someone’s death, whosoever it may be. And another thing that worries me is the mindless information floating around, and our curiosity to digest all those. What did kasab eat for breakfast? What is his weight when he died? What were his last words? Did he cry? Who prepared his noose? The media in both countries are having a field day, feeding us shit which we gleefully eat. 

         I am afraid, aam admi has become mob admi. Not good at all.

You failed us Lance, you really did

                     What have you done to me Lance, what have you done to me? To yourself?  To your fans? And most of all, to the survivors? Do you realise what you have done? Of course I know you decided ‘enough is enough’. I know you don’t give a damn to those titles, but that doesn't mean you can do this – quit.

                    There can be only two things Lance: you genuinely decided that ‘Enough is Enough’ or you are a - I can’t even spell it out – a cheat. Either ways Lance, you have failed us. All of us.

                     Four years back, in an immaturely long blog, my first ever, I had written that you are the Greatest Sportsperson of All Time, in my opinion.

                     In my b-school interview, I quoted you as my role-model. The interviewer asked me why.

                     In my list of the best books I have read, I considered yours as one.

                     When Yuvraj Singh wanted to survive cancer, he looked up to you.

                     There are millions of cancer affected people around the world who want to do ‘an Armstrong’ – to survive.

                    Do you realise why all these happened? Because you never quit, Lance. You were a symbol of fight, spirit, endurance, survival and more. But now? You quit because you thought ‘enough is enough’? Didn’t you realise the responsibility you had? How would anyone motivate a cancer patient now? Won’t they tell that you quit? Didn’t you realise that you had a heritage to protect? I know that you felt happier when your first kid was born more than all the titles, but we needed your titles. We – me, your fans, people who quote you as
their role model, the survivors – all of us needed your titles to proudly proclaim that ‘Nothing is impossible.’

                      You failed us Lance.

                       I shudder to think of the other possibility, that you are a cheat. And I don’t want to, but if you are one of them, those that sold the integrity of sports, then you are a bigger disappointment.

                      Either ways, you failed us Lance, you really did.

Best Moments of the London Olympics

You know, we humans can never stop comparing, however absurd it may be. This, of course, happens in sports as well. Who is the Greatest Cricketer of all time? Bradman or Sachin? Or Worse, Who is the Greatest Olympian of all time? Phelps, Paavo Nurmi or Jesse Owens? More often than not, we do not end with an answer to these questions, but that never stops us from doing it. Because, things like these make life interesting. The fun is not in the verdict, but in the discussion.

Similar to these comparisons is this clichéd category of articles called, ”Top Ten Moments of the (Year, Century, Olympics, Elections, Life and what not).”  Cliched, but never ignored.

So, here is my list of Best Moments from the Olympics- not the best achievements, but the moments that made me feel so good.

In no particular order..

Michael Phelps – The Magnificent Farewell

            As Michael Phelps powered home the anchor leg of the U.S. 4×200-meter freestyle relay, he did something he had never done before underwater during a race: He started smiling with about 20 meters left. He could not help himself. (Washington Post)

How does it feel to be the first ever medallist of a country?

           Just a lap away from the end. After one hour and 15 minutes of walking, you are 4^th, apprehensive if the country’s blank slate will continue to remain so. But if you are Erick Borrondo, you will get that last kick to hold your nerves, not lose hope and end with silver. He became the first ever medallist from Guatamela.

Inspiring

            This will be one of my most favourite moments. To see Tirunesh Dibaba just sprint away in her last lap of the 10000m race and win by a huge margin was the most inspiring moment of the London Olympics for me. Her last 2 laps would be in the top 20 timings for the 800m this year. Not for nothing is she known as the “Baby faced Assassin.”

Intimidating

            Sharapova, the World No 2, was playing an opponent, who just had recovered from a career threatening injury, and way below her ranking. But the scoreline read 0-6, 1-5 against her. Because, on the other side was Serena Williams, sending down an ace that would have made most male players proud. At one point, Serena had more aces than points won by Sharapova. This is what you call “Intimidating”.

The Curse of the 100m hurdles

Liu Xiang, the 2004 Athens champion, the most celebrated athlete of China, in his own turf, Beijing, had to pull out of the finals at the last moment, depriving us of what was expected to be a marquee race. Dayron Robles had hurdled to the Gold and a World Record. This London Olympic was supposed to be redemption time for him. But tragedy struck again as he fell down and injured himself in the first hurdle itself. The curse of the 100m hurdles was complete when Robles, the defending champion also hurt himself in the finals and lost. But heartrending it was when, Liu refused the wheelchair offered and walked through the 110m on one leg and supported by the winner of the race.

The most competitive event of the Games

            This is for the most passionate lovers of the Games. The top 5 women in the 200m were World Champions in 100, 200 and 400 metres in the recent past - Allyson Felix, Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, Carmelita Jeter, Veronica Campbell and Sanya Richards Ross. It was so competitive that Sanya Richards said that she would not even run again among such great champions.

Jack of all trades but...

            Decathlon is one of the toughest events in the Olympics. While Bolt did his 7 races covering 1000m over a period of 8 days, this has 10 events happening in just 2 days. But this also means that they are not proficient in all of the events, while Bolt is, in his event. This led to quite a funny scenes, particularly in Pole Vault – jumping in a crazy style, in the opposite direction, falling face flat on the mat were some of the scenes witnessed.

What a moment!!!

            This is very difficult for me to explain. This picture tells the complete story. This is how Carmelita Jeter( My Darling) reacted when she realised she is going to set a WR in the 4*100m relay.

Who am I?

Guor Marial completed the Men’s marathon at 47^th position but still made headlines in atleast a dozen countries. Why? He ran away from his home in South Sudan to the US when he was 15, but he is not a US citizen yet. And South Sudan has still not been recognised by the Olympic committee. So he ran under the Olympic flag itself signalling hope to millions of people like him, His position in the race was never a matter of concern, wasn’t it?

Never again say “Dont cry like a girl”

            This has been a universal phenomenon in this Games – grown up men crying like babies. Two particular winners stand out – Mo Farah and Felix Sanchez. They just couldn’t stop crying on the podium.

                    I am still waiting for the day when I could be one among those 80000 cheering the most competitive race, a double amputee running, grown up men crying, a photo finish to a punishing triathlon or a injured athlete spiritedly finishing his race. 

In search of "Super-Extraordinary"

                There are moments in our life when our voice chokes and we almost cry or even cry in happiness. Below is the result of some confused thinking about these moments..

“On Top of the World” moments

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2012 Men’s Singles Finals... Five and a half hours into the match, already the longest match in Aus Open History, the score was tied at 5-5 in the final set. Both Nadal and Djoker were cramping, not even able to stand between points. It was as much a test of their will as their physical fitness. Australian Summer, crowd pressure and unbelievable tennis. Then came the moment.. Nadal found the net. That moment, when the world disappeared before his eyes, when Djokovic felt ”On Top of the World”.. that moment..I almost cried.. for the quality of tennis, for the will power, for pushing further than your opponent.. Goosebumps..

2011 May, England... The target, set more than 20 years ago, that appeared more difficult than climbing Mount Everest, ridiculed for even attempting to do it, to overtake, convincingly so, Liverpool for most titles..was achieved.  19^th EPL Title.. Alex Ferguson, would have lived his past 25 years again.. From obscurity, a mediocre footballer, to the greatest coach ever..Despite all criticisms, jokes, prejudices... That moment, when his side lifted him on their shoulders, Fergie definitely felt, “On Top Of the World” .. that moment.. A true Manchester United fan would have almost cried.. Goosebumps..

2008, Beijing Olympics.. 100M finals.. 100000 people cheering.. Less than 10 seconds to prove the world that you are the best.. To prove yourself.. A false start, a slow start, a look beside you, any minute mistake would spell doom.. Difference between Immortality and obscurity..And it was over even before you realized it had started. Usain Bolt became the “fastest man of all time”.. that moment.. his chest-thumping moment..when the timing made you think you were dreaming.. that moment..I almost cried.. Goosebumps..

8611 Metres above sea level.. Mount K2.. X has reached the summit..”the savage mountain”.. most dangerous to climb.. for every 4 who climb 1 dies, has been climbed by only 300 people compared to 2700 for Mount Everest.. but.. conquered.. by X.. Yes, he is not known to the world. Yes, he will appear in the papers tomo, in a small piece which would occupy less space than Rakhi Sawant’s next drama. Yes, he will be forgotten into obscurity by man.. But, today, this moment, he is “the One”.. Purveyor of everything in front.. Literally and Figuratively “On Top of the World”.. Goosebumps..

“What more does one want moments?”

2010 February, Chennai.. in the 3^rd attempt.. after 10 exams, 7 interviews and 2 years.. would have been my last attempt come what may.. 99.74 percentile in CAT.. in office on a Sunday.. I still remember that moment.. I spoke aloud what I saw on screen.. 99.74, 99.74, 99.74.. Yes it is true.. I have done it.. I have “arrived” on the big stage.. Wat a moment.. It was bliss.. cried in Happiness.. “what more do I want in life?”

May 27^th 2012, Coimbatore.. A innocently happy looking banner outside the marriage hall.. just near the bus stop.. I was looking at it.. for how long I don’t know..  A happy couple photo.. But I knew the history.. the struggle.. the determination of my friends.. to unite.. to marry.. the will power, the sacrifice, the patience..touchwood.. It took a few passersby looking at me strangely to remind me where I was.. in the middle of the road..that moment.. I almost cried.. in happiness.. “What more do I want in life?”

March 2012, Peling, West Sikkim.. Usually never alone and talkative, I was numb with amazement and happiness as I looked at a snow capped mountain for hours.. from 5 in the morn when it was snow white dazzling in the full moon.. 6AM when the snow white changed to pure gold with the sunlight.. “Glorious” is the word.. till 9 in the morning when it was shining in all its majesty.. just 40 kms away.. Kanchenjunga.. I would exchange anything to get those 4 hours again.. and again.. and again.. Wow.. What a sight.. What a moment.. “What more does one want in life?”

                      The 2 sets of extraordinary moments gave me the same happiness.. I am sure when his daughters were born, Federer would have felt as happy as winning his 16 Grand Slams.. But what is the difference?  I say the second set is the “extraordinary” moments of an ordinary man.. It happens with everyone.. And the other is, what I call, the “super-extraordinary” moments of extraordinary people. While the “extraordinary” moments make me cry in happiness and feel contented, a feeling of satisfaction, of bliss, the “super-extraordinary” moments are in a separate league. At those moments, the great people involved were always ready for more.. in a “Give me more” mode.. Djoker would have got the strength to play for another four hours, X would have felt he can climb another 2000 metres,  Bolt would have thought he can run 5 more kilometres in the same speed and Fergie is ready for another 20 titles..

                This, I think is the difference.. To get back to the Tennis court the next day, get ready for the Clay court season, to get ready for the next Olympics, to hit the Gym again to climb the next mountain.. this is the difference.. to do the same “super-extraordinary” efforts again and again.. go up up and higher.. To up the standards.. this is the difference.. between “extra-ordinary” and “super-extraordinary”