Brand Ramdev

My cousin who operates Kirana (Grocery) Shop in a small decrepit town in the South of Punjab, has some wonderful business titbits to share on every visit and some of those can be learnt while toiling in those environments than in Business books or the business mumbo-jumbo. He always says, Marke chalaane bahut mushkil hai (it’s so difficult to establish brands). And then he demonstrates the case of Anchor Toothpaste, till the time, they were bombarding the primetime on Television with the advertisements and offering dealers/distributors/retailers healthy margins, they posed a major challenge to the FMCG MNCs like Close-UP, Colgate and Pepsodent but as soon as they put a dent in their advertising revenue, they had to make an exit from the market through the emergency shaft.

Typically for MNCs to deliver a successful product in the market needs to stay in market for more than 15 years. Lux is more than 70 years old brand. HUL and P&G, spend more than 10% of their budget on Advertisment and Marketing in spite of their huge line of products and its legacy. It is due to bulk buying of advertisement slots that they can keep the budget around 12%, otherwise it may shoot to over 15%, taking their whole business proposition for the toss.

But then comes our own Swadeshi brand, Patanjali, who is making FMCG MNCs sweat in their own house. Management Consultants, Strategists and Brand Consultants have found the wave of Baba Ramdev equally challenging to put in words or to ascribe a particular theory to it. Or like the FB meme says, You don’t need half naked women to sell products, half naked men can do it better. It’s just nobody tried earlier.

Take the case of shopkeeper near my house in Amritsar and there is only one shop in our area and around (colony spread over 340 acres) and he is super critical of Baba Ramdev. So I asked him, does he have something personal against Baba Ramdev? He replied, woh dhongi hai (he is a crook and liar), I replied, which Baba is not and if they will not be dhongi, they will be like us.

But then he also started selling Patanjali products at his shop. So I asked, now the Baba is straight as an arrow. He said, every customer comes and asks for his products. I belong to my customers. If customers start going to other shops, then who will come to my shop. It is simple business strategy, nothing to do with my thought process of Ramdev. So I said, wait for it, it will. He asked, how come? I replied, Baba is offering competitive margins than the MNCs against whom he is up and against.

Couple of months down the line, the hoarding of the shop changed from Coca-Cola board to Patanjali board. I asked, are you ditching other products and making it exclusive Patanjali shop. He answered, the speed with which he is expanding his product profile and lineage and the way with which customers are adopting his products, it seems difficult for others to find more space in my shop. Baba is occupying more and more shelf space. The best part, the demand is always exceeding the supply. He explained, if I am keeping twenty products of Patanjali in my shop, at no time there are more than 18 available as two have always gone out of stock and as soon as the stock comes, something else goes missing. Worst part, they are not servicing us at shops, we are standing in queue at the distributors’ shop to get products for our shops.

Is it a recipe for disaster or an astounding success is something which is debatable? He then gives example of housewife or better maid, if a maid has used Patanjali Dish Wash Bar, she recommends it to all the other households she visits. It is based on the chemicals from which raakh was obtained. Patanjali’s soap is of Raakh colour, people are more connected with it and it has the best quality in the market. People have forgotten about nimbu (lemon) based VIM. He suggested, take a bath with the Patanjali Multani Mitti (Mud) Soap, nobody can feel as refreshed after bath from their soap than with any liquid expensive soaps available in market.

We know Baba is promoting his products as swadeshi and pure and herbal (ayurvedic) and luring the people especially when our FMCG market is over-possessed with firangi brands (MNCs control the FMCG space). But to all the detractors who feel and think, Patanjali is an overnight brand. Baba Ramdev is Patanjali and he has worked for more than a decade to make his name a synonym of YOGA and is now reaping the benefits of the same. But at the same time, another question pops up, why and how MAGGI (Noodles, In India, maggi is referred to as Noodle) is herbal or ayurvedic to be marketed and branded by Patanjali? But then the Patanjali has crossed the hurdle long back and made it itself a comprehensive FMCG company, which started with making some of the traditional Indian medicines and then products and now they will be offering the entire range of Hindustan Unilever, Proctor & Gamble and Reckitt Benckiser and not to mention Britannia, Dabur and Amul.

No wonder, Patanjali’s revenue jumped from Rs. 1588 Crores in FY ‘15 to Rs. 3267 Crores in FY ‘16 with the target of Rs. 10,000 Crores for the current FY ’17. Is the heightened activity in Patanjali due to its support to Mr Modi’s campaign? I mean, if RSS endorses their products within their circles, Patanjali does not even require the massive Indian role in consumption of products. Whether or not political angle is entrenched in the Patanjali can be questioned to length? But the whole success story of Patanjali is astounding like I mentioned the trading community, who are queuing up, which really the strength and success of the Brand.

Piyush Pandey, executive chairman & creative director of Ogilvy South Asia, and the genius adman sums it up for us and said, feels marketers have a lot to learn from Ramdev. “He is an all-rounder who is battling, bowling and fielding at the same time. Baba Ramdev is a great proponent of a direct marketing FMCG company, and is one step ahead of the likes of the Amways and Avons of the world.” 

But ultimately the popularity of the Baba Ramdev can be gauged from the fact that as soon as India Today gave a preview of the cover story with Baba Ramdev’s image on it, Twitterati went berserk.

.@yogrishiramdev on this week's India Today magazine cover. Here's behind the scenes story https://t.co/7g7Rk3R5QS pic.twitter.com/CXTdLR84fH

— India Today (@IndiaToday) 14 July 2016

Yog Guru Baba Ramdev advertising for his newly launched Patanjali Langot to Compete with Jockey inner-wear.(2016) pic.twitter.com/SzUPNdH8r1

— History of India (@RealHistoryPic) 14 July 2016

After the flag waving on moon, Ramdev's anti-gravity beard is the next big conspiracy theory in science fiction. pic.twitter.com/yRxqhj7oRe

— Shirish Kunder (@ShirishKunder) 14 July 2016

Baba Ramdev was at Olympics in 2012. Sickular media won't show.  No Gymnastic medal because of racism :( pic.twitter.com/lZYRcQu4nF

— Being Watched (@DuckSpeech) 14 July 2016

I fixed the Baba Ramdev @IndiaToday cover. pic.twitter.com/iObeoPQqjD

— Sahil Shah (@SahilBulla) 14 July 2016

Baba Ramdev launches himself into outer space pic.twitter.com/Nf5MjUOWfq

— mitron (@gazimithi) 14 July 2016

Baba Ramdev Leading Indian Airforce... Now Indian Fighter Plane are More Reliable. pic.twitter.com/K4fokfjhCx

— Aamir Khan (@wise9211) 14 July 2016

Baba Ramdev parachuting in Belize pic.twitter.com/1A2xb9Jyip

— Gautam Trivedi (@Gotham3) 14 July 2016

Baba Ramdev practicing for Rio Olympics diving competition #Olympics2016 pic.twitter.com/ezIj3XjDVp

— Gautam Trivedi (@Gotham3) 14 July 2016

Baba Ramdev was at Olympics in 2012. Sickular media won't show.  No Gymnastic medal because of racism :( pic.twitter.com/lZYRcQu4nF

— Being Watched (@DuckSpeech) 14 July 2016

All Gains No Loss for India

UN sanctions have been on China for its territorial rights on South China Sea through International Court of Justice. I mean, it is not sanctions but that is how Chinese view it and they have said that they will not comply with the order. Japan has been crying hoarse over Chinese illegal invasion (occupation but invasion seems better) with United States siding with Japan, Chinese went slow on Japan when it comes to South China Sea but they have been bullying the smaller nations like Philippines and Vietnam. 

South China Sea is an issue which has the potential to hurt badly the diplomatic and trade relations with United States of America. China is a bully, the country which can threaten United States of America and its allies must be something. China seems more like USSR of the 80s, who are going after everything which is American and yet the continue to adore and loath Americans at the same time. 

South China Sea is in China’s backyard and it uses the same to arm twist America even though America has nothing whatsoever to do with the disputed water and infringing activity and military activity of the China.

But let’s take a step back and look at the last month’s NSG talks in which India’s inclusion in the Group was under strong opposition from the China. Rather China was the only one standing in the wind to oppose the same. Is South China Sea a repercussion of the same?

China had summoned its Chief Negotiator for NSG afterwords as their diplomatic efforts fell short and China was only itself to be blamed for the blocking of India’s membership to NSG. China fired the Pakistan salvo into the midst which they knew nobody would buy and hence India entry was blocked.

If we understand the whole diplomacy and strategy of filling India into the NSG. India is emerging as a leader in the South Asian strategy of America, the reason a billion Indians and a strong and resilient economy. America has been devising a strategy to counter China. So at one end, they have developed economy with considerable say in international politics diplomacy, Japan and on the side, they want to develop India as the counter to the China along with Japan. 

Pakistan is the prickly thorn in the India’s growth and development to which India has no answer. Pakistan nuclear weapons are a threat to the world and not to India is the realization that America has come to in last few years. Nuclear weapons falling into the hands of the radicals is the biggest headache of the Americans. Donald Trump, the first priority will be to de-nuke Pakistan. Though I loathe Donald Trump but this is his single jibe which makes sense and Pakistan contains the element to destroy the Earth.

India lost its bid to NSG. NSG is the big boys club of supplying nuclear arms. India has supplied to any country, NO. But India is self reliant for its nuclear requirements and they have built and developed the critical components for operating the nuclear technology whether for energy or weapons. 

India was running on a fine piece of rope and kudos to Modi’s diplomacy that he bagged all the nations in his favor in a short time but China is a big piece of the puzzle that it is difficult for India to counter China, who is offering Pakistan unconditional support for anything. China does not want India to grow its stature.

Pakistan is like somebody you can visit when you need them but otherwise nobody wishes to invite them to home. Making Pakistan part of NSG is a fundamentally not possible. All the nuclear capability of Pakistan has been built on Chinese support of technology and finances. Pakistan is not self reliant for its nuclear requirement. It was enough on the China’s to make everybody’s ears pop out of the system. 

China feels or thinks giving only India membership would break the counterbalance of the Indian subcontinent. But in the wake of the same, the international agencies and USA have already upped the pressure on the China by passing the order on the South China Sea.

Obama Administration has not been working for India as hard as the Bush Administration. Don’t forget Obama administration has been building India’s case since 2010 and yet in 2016, it fell flat on US face. Remember BJP fought tooth and nail with the Congress for signing the Nuclear Agreement with USA back in 2006. But in 2008, Manmohan Singh Govt. had a breakthrough when he put his foot on his alliance partner, Left parties who threatened to break the Govt. which BJP saw an opportunity to make a Govt. at the Centre as well. With Bush administration efforts and for one time, when Manmohan Singh threw his weight around as a Prime Minister is etched in the nuclear history of the country. 

This time around, Modi did fire his salvo at the international nations with caution and won their support but he is not the Statesman to have given credit to Manmohan Singh for the giant leap that India decided to take by participating for the race of NSG membership.

Pakistan had also applied in late May 2016 in Vienna for NSG membership. China claimed if you are giving India concessions to win membership, you can offer the same to Pakistan. But by backing Pakistan and stacking Pakistan against India at such high level of diplomacy in the international arena, China has stepped on a mine from which he cannot push its foot off and unless and until they may make Pakistan sit on the same. 

Come what may, India may have lost its chance to NSG membership this time. It still is a winner proposition for the India. It will help in developing a better and more profound relationship with the global superpower America who already devours China and is looking for chances to undermine the Chinese status in the international diplomatic missions and as a rising global superpower. Key takeaway, Western World now thinks India is not fault for strained relations with Pakistan, rather it is Pakistan's own making.

Game of Thrones

My cousin, who does not enjoy watching much of Hollywood or American television. His genre is transfixed on action movies. But then he is a huge Game of Thrones fan. Last year when the season ended, he said he wanted more of it and disgusting was the feeling to wait another year for the next season. This year he was not anticipating it, he had lost interest but then after nine episodes, he requested for Episode 1, Season 6 and an all nighter to complete all the 9 episodes and a leave from office the next day. He was itching for the Finale Episode. At the same time, he was saying what is this concept of Season, they should show everything at a stretch. But I explained to him, had there been no seasons, it wouldn't become the most anticipated event in the world. More on it later.

I remember, watching Mahabharata, that there would be zero existence of human being on roads in a country like India. Back in early 90’s, Mahabharata would make the nation of 80 Crore people come to a standstill. Only people visible on the road were the ones watching the television on the streets outside an appliances shop. Internet was yet to born. Hell, satellite television was yet to born. There will be only one time telecast, so do not miss it. 

In this day and age of satellite television, when there is TV show for possibly anything human can imagine. Internet can give you the experience for the wildest of human being’s fantasy. Game of Thrones is not just a serial or fiction drama series, it is the phenomena. No event or no activity, I can bet on it can generate the amount of curiosity, that even elections of Hillary Clinton (First Woman Nominee for the President’s post in USA) and the mad mogul, Donald Trump, whose antics always keep the media and social media buzzing would generate this level of hype as was witnessed before premiere of Season 6.

Hell, even, POTUS (the glitzy abbreviation for President of the United States, Barack Obama) was quizzed about the same. To which the President admitted, yes, and when asked about his favorite character from the show, he said, he really liked the short guy, the midget Peter Dinklage, who can think that a midget would be favorite actor on the planet.

Season 5, at a tragic note with one of the favorite characters of Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) was killed. Up till Season 5, it was an adaptation of the novel, Game of Thrones. People could still anticipate of what was coming especially for those who had read the book. TV shows follow the trend, which characters people are enjoying and how they are enjoying. They mould the characters and story line in the similar fashion as to the taste of the audience. Like in Castle, people enjoyed the bodily tensions of Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) and Novelist Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion), so post their marriage, the detective show developed the same reclusive behavior of their relationship by separating them for the world yet they were husband and wife. There was immense media outrage and social media blustering to bring back Jon Snow from the dead. Anything is possible in Game of Thrones.

Melissandre’s Lord of Light brought him back to life. Audiences movement won. More so, because the writers of the book have yet to write the last part of the book. Season 6 was written by the makers in consultation with the authors of the book. So hence, it was an unchartered territory. HBO’s team was free to think and imagine as they liked and not contain themselves within the boundaries of the book or adapt from the book.

Iron Throne and the costumes or the trivia with the home models for sale travel across the world. My brother mentioned last year, Iron Throne was available to sit and click photographs in an exhibition arranged by the makers of the show in Sydney. Exhibition was scheduled to open at 10, people started building queue at 7, after 9, they announced please do not stand in the queue as we cannot accommodate more people than already standing in the queue. It costed 250 Dollars per head. Hell, even the Queen of England was offered to sit on the Iron Throne but then the Queen dismissed the request as she thought she already had a throne to sit. So much for a throne on a television show.

Till Season 5, people were thinking, we are yet to see the nude version of Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) and then came the Walk of Shame, what a scene it was? Five minutes long and she roams the entire streets of Westeros in nude. Season 6 was epic and phenomenal. Season 6 began on a slow note. Season 6 had the least number of nude women, which is again the true characteristic of the Game of Thrones. But then they gave us a glimpse of Khalisi, Daenerys Targareyan again. This scene captured so much power and authority that it displays, she has what it takes to rule. 

Season 6 had last two episodes with so much happening and it leaves people gasping. Season 6 Episode 9 captures evil forces like Boltons and Greyjoy also won with the help of Khaleesi. Season Finale leaves us hanging by the cliff.

Jesus Christ, what has Cersei done? Dropped the whole hall of the King and became the Queen without the King and all of her kids are dead. Emilia Clarke is sailing for Westeros to fight with Cersei to claim her title. Margaery (Natalie Dormer), one of the most adorable characters of GoT is dead too. Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) took the revenge of her mother’s death. Now the revenge of her father’s death is left for her to accomplish. Jon Snow’s reality is known to people but the finality of it yet to be known. Who will marry Emilia Clarke? She had left her lover behind.  Can a bastard (Jon Snow) marry Emilia Clarke or are they cousins?

Queen Cersei needs wildfire (sulphuric acid) to fight Danaerys but she has used the every bit of it on her own defectors. Her loss is known to everybody and definitely it will be happening at the hands of Maisie Williams but how is the reason why we watch GoT?

Season 7 will be the penultimate Finale of GoT or there will be more is the question on everybody’s minds. Will the Season 7 be ultimately fully consumed in the war. Will the events spill onto Season 8 as well. The IF questions, or may be it’s important to visit Europe during the winters when and where the GoT is shot and see if we can get a glimpse of it.

Finally, finally, after 6 years, after several times over waiting for it, WINTER IS HERE.

Udta Punjab - Udd Geya

Udta Punjab is typical caricature of Anurag Kashyap. Does that guy function without chutiya for more than ten words. All the verbal MCs, BCs (converted to PC in Punjabi) is true representation of Punjab. But for cinematic and presentation purposes, they could have milder version of the cuss words like bhootni ki is soft and vegetarian version of chutiya. Even my text is also veering towards Anurag Kashyap.

It is actually a salutory job of Abhishek Chaubey, so little time to research and yet he managed to show so many aspect of Punjabis through his hard hitting social drama. The film categorically says no relation of any character to any person living or dead. Initially they show a pole with the advertisement of IELTS imprinted in the background. IN which frame of Punjab, one cannot capture the advertisement of IELTS, everybody wants to go abroad. On Kareena Kapoor’s table,  There is another book of GATE or PLAB or some examination to move abroad. Not only uneducated but the educated also hope to settle abroad.

In terms of 360 degree of the problem of drugs in Punjab, they have shown a rockstar, a hockey player who is poor and most of them are, Police who is effervescent in not controlling the smuggling of drugs, the doctor who are trying to treat the addicts, drug dealers and in the background politicians are shown to be running the whole operations and even asking votes for drugs. Like a Bollywood singer, there is no music industry in India but only Bollywood music but Punjab is a place, where there is a singer or a budding singer in every alternate home. More Punjabi music is released in India than all the Bollywood music combined twice over. The way Punjabi singers flaunt their cars, bikes, guns, tattoos, gold, funky hair and designer beards is epic and not to mention drugs. Shahid Kapoor tries to embody the true rockstar from Punjab plus the hallucinations of the addict and also sporting a hair style with word FUDDU inscribed in the hair.

Zameen banjar te aulaad kanjar (Parched land and foolish kids) is the truth about the Punjab. The filmmakers kept the Punjabi words flowing in and around to show the impact of the language and build the right temperament for the scene. Like my friend said, Punjab mein prostitute ko gashti kehte hai (Do you call prostitute as gashti in Punjabi?). His vocabulary of cuss words in multilingual now.

Shahid Kapoor who plays a tattooed rockstar named Tommy Singh, who lives on cocaine, London returned with tattoos, ‘Momma da Boy’ tattooed on his collarbone, moves along with his entourage who are good for nothing. Yet a rockstar in Punjab needs to show his permanent company at every place. His acting is so bang on target as if he is a genuine rockstar, who all are suffering from the problem of drug addiction. The shoes of Tommy Singh, depict he is ready to fly, nobody forgets them. Always flashing V sign with the title given to him, Da Gabru.

Tommy Singh is arrested by the cop Sartaj, who likes to follow the orders as received from the employers (politicians). Sartaj changes when he witnesses his nearly dead brother who adores and a huge fan of Tommy Singh and his ways but lands in hospital due to drug overdose available at local pharmacies in Punjab. Pretty Sahni invokes his conscience, which is not good for his job as his brother ends in drug rehabilitation centre due to drug overdose. Bally is bang on target with his acting and the role and his struggle to leave drugs and also run towards them, which ends up killing the loved ones. Bally is always flying like Tommy Singh from the trip of chitta (Heroin) and does not wish to be bothered from the same. In the meantime, all those who became fan of Sartaj Singh’s (Diljit Dosanjh) acting, should watch Punjab: 1984, another gripping tale of terrorism in Punjab. 

All the talk of Alia Bhatt, as I was not tracking those news, and now I understood. Alia Bhatt, the pretty young girl from the Bhatt family has outperformed not only by her standards but by the whole industry standards. Who would dump the glamorous avatars and the comfort to work hard in playing the role of a nobody with a mud face and torn clothes. Who plays a hockey player and yet ends up tilling the fields. It also shows the plight of Hockey players in our country. She is poor and forced into the drug abuse.

Another actors to watch are the Inspector played by Manav Vij, full bearded cop. He looked like a real life cop without any traces of an actor. His acting could not get more close to reality. 

Amit Trivedi is a talent scouted and groomed by Anurag Kashyap. His melodies and his music and his voice makes you drool over and you don’t need chitta to trip on it. Add to it the catchy lyrics, talking about drugs and the psychology of an addict. My personal favorite is Da Da Dasee (Stings hard and effectively) by Kanika Kapoor and Babu Haabi. Shiv Kumar Batalvi’s poem, Ikk Kudi is another soul wrenching number. For starters, Shiv Kumar Batalvi is Shakespeare of Punjabi Literature who dies in late 70s or 80s, who wrote poems in love and separation from his love by society and the girl’s father. There is song, Kitte Kalli Behke Sochi Ni, is one song without which no singer in Punjab can complete his career. Everybody leaves with watery eyes or flowing eyes after hearing Batalvi’s poem recitals.

The Controversy

Let’s roll back to the Udta Punjab controversy and the huge battle that was fought in Courts and more extensively in the media. Censor Board is Central Board of Film Certification, whose role is to certify films and not censorsize them. So many Bollywood films have struggled or fought with the Censor Board and yet little people get to know.

But Udta Punjab with its social message became the poster child of agitation against the dictatorial rule of Censor Board. Pahlaj Nihalani, is a good director for the arty films he had directed/written in 1980’s and he showed some of his actresses in the worst vulgar manner possible especially for the times. But I was perplexed he couldn’t not finish two sentences without fumbling and mumbling that they made his Censor Board Chief and all the stupid debauchery that cam from his end. Whether it was politically motivated or not but he had the film makers and the industry with like Satish Kaushik says in the movide, fadd lo tattey (grab my balls).

But the interesting thing in the whole issue is the Freedom of Expression, that why Govt. is toying with the idea every six months, they find some or the other way to experiment as to how people respond to the curtailment of their Fundamental Rights. Mahesh Bhatt said, all this talk to Development has no meaning if we are going to take away the Rights of people to express themselves. Will the Govt. tell us how to react to a situation? To the Govt., you are not chitta that everybody starts floating after consuming it.

Udta Punjab should be given Govt. felicitation for bringing the topic to the core and not Govt. should focus on the problem and make an attempt to save a whole generation in Punjab as clearly it is the leaders in Punjab who are part of the drug problem.

In the whole controversy, people actually forget to talk about the decade old break up of Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor (dumping of Shahid does not sound cool). Censor Board who is teaching morality to an industry are themselves bereft of the same that somehow or the other Udta Punjab was leaked before the release by the Censor Board. To Modiji’s promise, heads should roll. But they can still learn from simple and honest words of Anurag Kashyap:

“I have never downloaded a film on torrent, i don't know how to. yes occasionally i have seen downloaded films borrowed from friends and found a way to pay for them later, by buying them on DVD or BluRay, and when i say this i also say that no one can stop your right to download a film. This time its a different fight, its a fight against censorship and if you are that audience that always downloads a film, then i won't ask you to not do that , please do, but wait till Saturday which is the day you would normally download a film. Piracy happens because of lack of access and in a world of free internet, i do not have a problem with it. My problem is that this time its a case of vested interests trying to demoralize people from fighting for their rights. So all downloaders of Udta Punjab , i urge, wait till Saturday till you decide to not pay for the film, don't download and share , curb the curiosity for two more days. Thank you for reading this.”

BCCI Grounds

Our political leaders are busy taking credit and expect their efforts to be lauded as they ferried a train from Mumbai to Latur, which is suffering from severe drought conditions with people searching even for drinking water. It is not an achievement on the part of the Govt. to provide water by train. I’d say it is rather the shoddy planning whether Congress or BJP that the State has to spend money for ferrying trains and it could not plan or act accordingly so that such condition may not happen.

Looking at the plight of the poor people of Maharashtra, an NGO filed a petition in Bombay HC to shift the IPL matches out from Maharashtra especially now since IPL has two teams from Maharashtra (teams have nothing to do with States but more so with their home ground).

Mukesh Ambani’s wife, Nita Ambani was traveling around Europe and witnessed how the club football created enthusiasm and united people across boundaries and she got her idea to float Indian Super League and now it has already run for three seasons. Perhaps Reliance knows and understand how to look at virgin markets and build them from ground up.

IPL Management has decided to look for an alternative venue for next season outside India. I mean there is one corporate who is trying to revive the culture of football in India. On the other hand, we are trying to deconstruct the culture of cricket in India. First time perhaps in sports that India took a giant leap and gave a new format, new version and style to play the game and more so, that the epicenter of cricket has moved from England to India.

The Court did make a vlid point. How can you (cricket associations and BCCI) waste water like this. People are more important or your IPL matches? How can you be so careless? Who wastes water like this? This is criminal wastage. You know what the condition is in Maharashtra,” a division bench headed by Justices V M Kanade and M S Karnik said, while hearing a PIL filed by the Loksatta Movement NGO. “Ideally, you should shift the IPL matches to some other state where water is in abundance,” the court observed.

BCCI submitted different plans and proposals for the Court to consider but Court wouldn't budge. BCCI gave an excellent idea to use sewerage treated water to water the grounds and the facility for the same has been established by the existing prestigious club in India to water its golf course. The Court questioned BCCI to compensate State for the water used during all the past IPL matches. Which should not be a hard thing for the BCCI to undertake given the fact that they are the richest body in India barring few temples?

The big question remains, why and how the situation has come to such a pass? Not State Government’s, we know them, they engage in damage control and quick fix last minute measures. But the BCCI could have acted at an appropriate time. State could have opted to spend all the taxes and the money received from IPL in setting up and controlling the water situation in the State of Maharashtra. Why the Court asked the BCCI to compensate State for the water and suggested the State otherwise?

Not to mention, IPL shifting out of India will be India’s loss on the cricketing arena and not to mention the fans and revenues accrued from the same and taxes paid to the Govt. to host such events. 

There are close to 50 international cricket grounds/stadiums in the country. The eight stadiums which are made the home grounds of the teams along with their names are normally hosting the cricket matches during other tournaments as well with few sundry or other matches are scheduled at few other locations. Why the process to engage other cricket stadiums has still not been included in IPL? Wherein the home ground is divided amongst two grounds in the State so that the chance to develop the game of cricket and upgradation of infrastructure is spread across the country but what is happening is instead the more money is pumped into the iconic cricket stadiums of the country. 

The High Court order of shifting all matches out of Maharashtra is a blessing in disguise for the BCCI to work on an alternate plan and agenda to spread the virus of IPL across the country. Take the Chandigarh, it helped Dharamshala stadium and the town just by shifting two - three matches in past few IPL seasons. Amritsar can be developed as another alternative ground for Chandigarh, which gives considerable boost to the economy and the culture of the city. 

Mumbai already is in severe grip of cricket fever, why not host few in matches in Nagpur or Goa. Similar should be the case that the matches are spread which will benefit the franchises in increasing the fan base and building different entertainment and lifestyle on the basis of their team’s theme.

But just in case, BCCI decides to move IPL out of India, there should be another petition in the Supreme Court with the Court to keep the tournament in India. VIVO is the chief sponsor of IPL, the forex earnings of the country is going up. Plus the expenditure that the foreign players and visitors spend in India. BCCI perhaps can host few matches outside India in every season again to increase the fan base and the loyalty but logistically implementing the same will be a challenge. 

But in the meantime, IPL should stay in India and the idea of alternate grounds to home for every team should also be developed. The Govt. should work with BCCI to provide sewerage treated water to water grounds at every ground in the country.

Dhoni and the World of Cricket T20

I stopped watching the Final of Cricket World Cup T20 between England and West Indies after 12 over of second innings by Windies as they had just scored 66 in 12 overs and required 90 from 48 balls. A mobile beep at 11 in the night tells me West Indies won after hitting four sixes of last over with two balls to spare. Now Darren Sammy tells the world about the delirious conditions with which their Board treats them, hence they are bigger heroes than just winning the World Cup. Probably England is the best team to hit sixes against, Yuvraj hit six sixes in one over against them.

My mind races back to the India-Bangladesh match and what a match it was, no match  of any sport in any country in the world can make as many people their heartbeats than a thriller by an Indian cricket team. A friend of mine quoted on Facebook, “Dhoni does not believe in Winning, Winning believes in Dhoni”. We had won three straight games against Bangladesh prior to the series and won all the matches in Asia Cup in Dhaka. In this match as well, we were expected to take leap in terms of average in case India, Pakistan and Australia get stuck at 2 won matches each. Only the luck (luck is an important factor in T20 cricket) saved the match. But as the team with Number 1 ranking, we are never up to the mark.

Radio, television channels, music, entertainment channels everybody was playing the last over of the match by Hardik Pandya for the next 24 hours. In the past few months, their is a movement amongst the cricket intellectuals and greats to elevate the position of Dhoni from cricketer and skipper to the Cricket Hall of Fame. Certainly people were reminded of the last over bowled by Joinder Sharma in the first ever T20 cricket wherein Dhoni was made Captain and sent with the team of rookies (underdogs) as the heavy weights refused to play T20 cricket. 

Dhoni certainly deserves a place. We won a match against Pakistan and also Australia to which Kohli guided us to a comfortable win. If Sachin is God of Cricket, then Dhoni is certainly the mentor of T20 cricket. He is a mentor not only to players or the team but the whole concept of T20.

Like his coach said that he was recommending to some senior retired players in the cricket arena and they asked, what type of batsmen he is and what is his batting style? His coach said, he plays excellent shots and he has his own style and not anybody he can think of. Dhoni's style of picking good length, low pitched deliveries from the ground and swinging it past boundary on the long on/off is called Helicopter Shot. 

For the semi-final, we booked a table at an upmarket pub in South Delhi. Somehow watching the matches in a crowded place adds to the fun, much better than an experience in stadium. Plus they are playing all the heart pumping patriotic music during commercial breaks or whenever India hits a six or takes a wicket, free shots (tequila) are provided. 

We lost the match to the Windies and our chances of winning the World Cup were grounded. In the upmarket bar which was crowded was suddenly empty and dull after we lost and one group of Indian fans lashed out at other group for they were still laughing and argued India lost and you are smiling. Not to mention, glasses and plates few across and broken and littered at the place, so much so, that the bar authorities had to call the security and Police was also on the way, during which we also decided to  gulp our beer and head towards exit.

Apparently there were few reports in the media as well of violence on the streets as India lost. Such is the passion and enthusiasm of cricket. T20 is not about technique or the patience or the sense of character, it is all about entertainment. With the increasing mix of Bollywood and the corporate world and the models and cheer leaders, it is as glamorous as a fashion week but with much high drama and emotions at play.

Dhoni’s style of shots are perfectly attuned to this style of cricket. In more than 6 out of 10 matches, he is playing the winning shot. In the T20 matches, India’s matches were the ones which provided with the maximum thrill and entertainment for any cricket fan as all matches were close and could swing to any side, any moment. 

It’s true he and the team that he is built has given immense range of emotions to the cricket fans and more percolate on the thrilling and happy side and less of sadness and moreover Indian side put their everything in T20 match, even if they have lost, they play a competitive game with no easy chances for their opponent.

Dhoni is an entertainer as T20 is all about entertainment. Let’s take a look at the press conference after they lost to West Indies in the Semi Final on 31st March, 2016. 

The question asked by Samuel Ferris of cricket.com.au was about whether after the Indian team's exit from the ICC World Twenty20 semi-finals, Dhoni, at 34, was keen to play on. At first Dhoni responded by asking Ferris to repeat the question, and when he did, the following played out. 

“Come here, let's have some fun”, said Dhoni, beckoning to Ferris to join him. Ferris blinked and looked taken aback. Dhoni pushed aside one of the chairs next to him and said: “I am serious, come here”.

The Australian sat down and Dhoni put an arm around him. “Do you want me to retire?”

“Not that I want. That's what I want to ask you,” replied Ferris.

“I was hoping it was an Indian media guy because I can't really ask you if you have a son or a brother who is a wicketkeeper. Do you think I am unfit, looking at my running?” asked Dhoni as giggles rippled around the room.

“No. You're very fast.”

“Do you think I can survive till the 2019 World Cup?”

“You should, yes, sure.”

“Then you have answered the question.” With that, Dhoni patted Ferris' back and the Australian got up and walked back to his seat.

Dhoni wasn't finished, though.

“I wish it was an Indian media person,” he added, clearly in reference to the number of times his place has been questioned after a defeat and the times journalists have asked him questions about his future. “Then I would have asked if he has a son who is a wicketkeeper and ready to play. He would have said no, then I would have said maybe a brother who is a wicketkeeper and who is ready to play. You fired the right ammunition at the wrong time.”

Bye Bye 2015 ....... Happy New Year 2016

2015 was the litmus test year of the Modi Govt and Modi style of politics and functioning. Mr Modi promised moon to the people while contesting elections in 2014. In reality, we knew a lot of it is marketing plank or promises before elections. It was to Mr Modi’s that he could sell it and people bought it as well. Achhe din (Better Days) are still a distant dream. But Mr Modi fired his power behind every idea he sold to the people. Whether those ideas culminate into something, only time will tell, we still have three and half years.

DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) seems to be working but long time to make it overall success. When it comes to the politics, Congress showed the same chip to BJP and BJP had performed in the opposition. But a good part came out of it, Mr Modi followed his words of sabka saath, sabka vikas by talking to opposition leaders to allow the House to function. Let’s see how Congress tries to scuttle next time and whether anything good comes out of it or not. But the House will function this year. Rajya Sabha equations are bound to change a little with BJP gaining more voice in the Upper House.

Aamir commenting on intolerance became a laughing reference for social media and the media alike. The issue of intolerance did take a lot of media coverage and perhaps some fear in the minds of the minorities. Certainly this issue will carry forward in 2016. Congress can do such things and nobody will notice but high pitched speeches of hard working PM does get a drubbing for not anything on sensitive issues.

RSS mouthpiece costed heavily on the BJP fate in Bihar elections. With Lalu 2.0 and Nitish’s third term drubbed BJP in the State elections. PM’s sharp jibe and derogatory remarks on Lalu and Nitish were derogatory to his chair even if apt for the leaders of Bihar. Delhi Assembly became AAP’s headquarters with 67 out of 70 seats won by them. AAP’s fights with the Central Govt. continued through most of the year and will continue through 2016 as well. Elections in five states of 2016, that too bigwigs, like UP, WB and TN and small ones, Kerala and Assam will witness less of Modi, as he is PM, he should be PM and not BJP chief campaign voice.

On international diplomacy, Mr Modi held various public meetings and displayed strength of Indian diaspora in USA (East and West Cost), UK, Canada, Australia and so on. India is definitely gaining respect in those high diplomatic circles. He ended the year with a surprise visit to India’s distant brother and arch enemy, Pakistan and hugging Nawaz Sharif wherein Nawaz Sharif broke the protocol to receive Indian PM at the airport. What happens next in Indo-Pak relations is a deep story which only time will reveal?

The need to build healthier planet, India and Mr Modi made waves in the Paris Climate Summit and India won acclaim from developed world for the progress in the solar space. Developed world reflected on toeing India’s line on solar policy. Whether India brings developed finances for carbon credits or not is a long term play.

Oil, a major pain point of Manmohan Singh Govt. had dropped to $40 making economy a cakewalk for the Modi Govt. India’s largest import bill is for oil. With oil cooling, it was respite for the Govt. forex outflow and Govt. kept hiking taxes on the same which ensured they could meet the budget targets alongwith the development. It will continue to slide or lay low for the coming year.

Onions made everybody cry this year followed by tomatoes for a while and then we had new price index for pulses. A common food’s cheap of rice and dal is suddenly expensive. It will be interesting to watch whether Govt. will try to bring correction. Highly unlikely, these are the new levels and we may see few more points hike in the same.

Yakub Menon was hanged to death and the week before his hanging, like his life was wavering from hope and despair and so was country heavily and deeply through those days. The marauder of Priya Singh, who said, ghusa usme or the only survivor of the rape convicts raised brouhaha and protests because of his early release as juvenile detainee. A change in law was required and has been brought in.

Indian economy is holding put against all the odds and the global turmoil that is happening especially the great commodity crash. The stock markets lost 26% during the year with some of the big heavyweights taking the lead. Economy may perform with some of the major projects undertaken by the Govt. which will keep it floating. The markets are expected to recover due to great fall but with the US crisis looming, it is hoping against hope but it will hold fort.

Banking crisis which was a mess earlier is now a pile of rubble. In addition of the already deteriorating bank finances and the core sector companies not performing, cement, steel, coal, power, etc aluminium and copper are also joining the league. Hopefully Govt. does the cleaning act quickly which is the requirement of the day.

Technology space will break new barriers as we already record investments in the space with Flipkart, Ola, Amazon and Uber becoming part of everybody’s life and space. More consumer related apps will be successful and function in the market. Plus Google, Microsoft and Facebook will be offering free internet services in rural India through balloons, jets flying in the stratosphere or perhaps a signal from the moon.

And the year ended with the last laugh by Shah Rukh Khan, as the campaign started to boycott his film, Dilwale, due to his intolerant statement, remarks or whatever it was. He made the most horrible movie of his career that even protestors were put to shame.