What you do matters... Take Home #603

There can be many things that happen to you. What you do matters not what happens.

Confrontation... Take Home #602

Avoiding confrontation is not the solution to any problem. Constructive confrontation helps which needs to be practiced again and again! Though there is no guarantee that we could ever get to perfection!

Actions help... Take Home #601

There is no point sitting back and getting bothered about anything. Only actions help.

Everyone is a player... Take Home #600

Our play fields may be are different but everyone of us is a player.

Enjoying the task at hand... Take Home #599

Enjoying the task at hand is a skill in itself. Attaching a greater purpose to what we do helps in nurturing the skill.

Book review: One Indian Girl

Many are saying that this book's title is not justified, given the way the lead woman's life style is portrayed. I differ with this. I think, characterizing a woman, or a man for that matter, in a generic manner that is derived from the cultural roots of the country is not fair enough amidst the swiftly changing socio-economic conditions. Globalization on one front reduced the geographical boundaries to mere political ones. And now, the recent technological advancements have ensured the civilization takes a sharp turn in terms of people's life style. This is applicable for both men and women. Hence characterizing a woman based on thousand year's of legacy needs to be rechecked. So, I think there is no problem in the way the leading lady's characterization is done under the title 'One Indian Girl' in the latest fiction work by Chetan Bhagat.

I somehow lost interest in reading fiction few years back! I must confess, I could not stay away from purchasing this Chetan Bhagat's new pie! I purchased it and read the first chapter, and the rest happened all by itself. The story was indeed gripping, emotional and about a working independent woman, who had a mother daunting about marriage, a father always feeling proud about his daughter's carrier and less intervened, and a beautiful sister happily settled to be a house wife.

The leading lady, Radhika Mehta, works in banking sector, Chetan Bhagat's once own field of work. Understandably, there is a lot mention of technical stuff about banking in the book, in the story. Even though I did not understand the technicalities, I could manage to relate to the work-life style of the leading lady. That ensured my ever growing interest to turn to the next page quickly. The other characters of the novel are there to rotate the strike every now and then. While they are not typical of their kind, not way different too! And finally the climax-decision by the leading lady surprised me as well as satisfied the typical-Indian-woman character within me. One must read the book to know what's the decision is!

A quick read in free time and when feeling like getting lost in a fictional story will make one enjoy this book. Chetan Bhagat does the magic again, though not to the level of 'five point someone'!

What not to think about... Take Home #598

It's important to learn what not to think about! Otherwise, life escapes in non-productive thoughts.

The best that can be done... Take Home #597

When what needs to be done isn't clear, doing the best that can be done in the given moment is the good idea to begin with.

Knowing... Take Home #596

It's not always important to know everything. In fact, it's wise not to know what need not be known! Too much of information leads no where except confusion!

What's said... Take Home #595

'How much is said' is seen once. 'How it's said' is seen once in a while. 'What's said' is seen every time.

Capability monitoring... Take Home #594

One may possess good skill of managing people. But as long as there is no one to recognize and give the next best opportunity, the whole skill goes wasted. This is a blow not just for the person but for the organization too.

It's important to have an integrated capability monitoring system in place for every organization.

Paralympics - A medal is more than a medal

Firstly, congratulations to the podium finishers at the Rio Paralympic games 2016. Could not watch the players performing live but have taken my share of motivation from the video clips that have been posted on social media. Special thanks to the Indian athletes who have participated in the games. Those who have won medals for India, we must know that they are the only athletes to have won medals ever by Indians in athletic events at the Olympics. It's not easy to achieve that. It must have taken whopping efforts to get there by the winners. Hearty congratulations to them once again.

I loved the idea of placing small balls inside the Olympic medals given to the Paralympic winners that make sound. The smiles of the winners on the podium while listening to the sound from medal clarifies it all of why this idea is invaluable. Kudos to the inventors.

A medal is a medal, of course. But often, we end up realizing that a medal is more than a medal in actual and emotional sense. Be it for the female athlete whose medal brought electricity to her village in Kenya, be it for the Polish medal winner selling his medal to support an operation for a baby, be it for the Indian women, Sakshi and Sindhu, whose medal inspired a few to say 'Beti Khilao', a medal is more than a medal. Especially for Paralympic winners, a medal is more than a medal, in every sense. Not to separate them out but the intention is to stress the determination and desperation that must have driven them to success on the world's biggest sports stage. The world records some athletes have set, taking a step ahead of summer Olympians, showcase to world the 'power of human mind'. It does things when it have to and it can do things in no normal way provided believed in it.

Huge potential lies in each one of us and all that we need to do is to identify, nurture and showcase it. And by doing so, we must keep inspiring each other to contribute to the successful run of human race. The race that we run together and not against anybody.

Be mindful... Take Home #593

Being mindful of audience and not being afraid results into good presentation of the topic, of the self. 

Responsibility... Take Home #592

Look for challenges. Look for opportunities. Always feel and  be consciously responsible for what you do.

Wrong step... Take Home #591

Often, success lies in not taking a wrong step. Also, very often, success lies in cashing out on the opponent's wrong step.

Handling the wrong steps is the game we all have to play, most of the times. It's not easy but it's very effective.

Professional... Take Home #590

One may or may not be a professional sports person. But having sportive spirit turns one truly professional in whichever the filed he or she is in. 

#NationalSportsDay

Rio games have not yet ended for Indian media, electronic & print and the latest 'social' - Rio2016 #8

For the first time ever in the Olympic history, 119 Indian players got qualified for this year's Olympics at Rio. Considering the performance of Indian athletes in London games, expectations about the medals was raised, mainly by the media within the country. While everyone expected India to enter the medals tally within first few days, Indian athletes, despite of all efforts could not see India through until Sakshi Malik won a bronze in wrestling. By the time the news about her medal reach every corner of India, another medal was confirmed by P.V.Sindhu in women badminton singles. Eventually she won a silver medal after fighting hard against the world number one, Carolina Marin. Marin's inspiring performance of last two years made it clear to me that she deserved to win the Olympic gold. And she won it, fighting back from the loss of first game in the final. That was yet another champion play by her, known as 'Girl Nadal' in Spain. 

Congratulations and thanks to Sakshi and Sindhu for putting India in the medal tally at last. As per the statistics, India secured 67th place overall in the tally, down by 12 ranks compared to 2012 Olympics. Two women, Mary Kom and Saina Nehwal, won bronze medals last time and now two more women have won medals. India, I mean, electronic & print media and also the social media is going crazy celebrating the win of women this time round, and the reason makes me thoughtful. Women won last time too but men won medals too. This time, no man has won a medal for India and both the medals are won by women! While this is being quoted as the main reason for celebrating with high intensity and to say "Beti Khilao", its important to validate the reason itself I believe.

Back in 2000 Olympics, Karanam Malleswari won the lone medal for India. Then the media did not cover as much as it is doing this time round. Social media was not present at all in those times so there were no way the story would do rounds and rounds. Malleswari was a woman and had 'Beti Khilao' been said and practiced, today we would have been celebrating the success of a few more women in the Olympics. Somehow, "Beti bachao; beti padhao" campaign started later and now 'Beti khilao' is being said with grand rhyming. And as everyone is busy saying that, the Rio games have not yet ended for Indian media, electronic & Print and the latest 'social'.

Now that women have won the medals, everyone is saying that women must be encouraged to participate in sports. No doubt it helps. At the same time, its extremely important to recognize the fact that encouraging women to excel in the field they choose makes them come out succeeding in their respective fields. Sport is indeed the most loved by masses, and that cannot precede the love women have for the fields they choose, whatever the field may be. 

Against all the odds - Rio2016 #7

Yesterday, I watched a video about a female Olympian. She said she had been diagnosed with a rare disease after she got qualified for Rio Olympics. She said that initially it took her a lot of time to get back to think about Olympics. She finally decided to participate in Olympics nevertheless. And the reason for her decision of participating in Olympics was simple and inspiring. She said, "I have come to Rio to take part in Olympics because I have qualified to be here". With a great sense of responsibility she has taken part in the games. Her story moved me to the core. Small to small diseases  move me to tears at times and distract me to dumb at times. Here I was looking at a woman participating in Olympics against all odds! I was inspired by what she said. Absolutely respectful. I wish her all the best to come out healthy and even more stronger in the due course of time. 

Against all odds

For the love of the games

Olympians do every bit 

To fulfill their own dreams

Dreams of them by their dearies

Some succeed, some fail

Nevertheless they play

For the love of the games

Against all odds

Appreciation... Take Home #589

Appreciation is good in many ways. But one wrong way of handling it can reverse-play all its advantages.

Every player has a story - Rio2016 #6

The world is aware, or may be not

Every player has a story.

Belief is bestowed, or may be not

Every player has a story.

Highly regarded, or may be not

Every player has a story.

Rewarded deservingly, or may be not,

Every player has a story.

Supported and loved, or may be not,

Every player has a story.

Nurtured unconditionally, or may be not,

Every player has a story.

Name taken to every street, or may be not,

Every player has a story.

Injuries are understood, or may be not,

Every player has a story.

Claimed as dependable, or may be not,

Every player has a story.

Ruined to rubble after a loss, or may be not,

Every player has a story.

Pulled to glory after a win, or may be not,

Every player has a story.

Remembered in time, or may be not,

Every player has a story.

Every player has a story

Every story deserves courtesy

Every courtesy shall be bestowed

On the player, on the story

In their misery, in their glory

Not because they have a story

Because dealing with any story,

Is not easy; is never easy. 

The best reference is our own story.

Age is just a number and sport cannot defeat it... Rio2016 #5

For a Grand slam-tennis-follower like me, finals happening and results emerging in barely 4-5 days time reveals a new definition of 'brisk'. A day before, I watched Nadal playing men's singles pre-quarter final match and today I read that he and his partner had won a medal in men's doubles, that too a Gold. Great to know that about the champion player whom I longed to see smiling his heart out. On the podium with his partner and with the gold, he glittered in all smiles. Wonderful moment it was for him for sure and for me for sure too. It's not easy to see your favorite players not entering the play field for months, missing championships, have to pull off in between the tournaments due to injuries and so on. Good to see Rafa back to form and most important back to the Olympic podium. Wishing him all the best to win yet another Gold in Men's singles.

Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna are due to play one more match before they play their dream finals. Looking in good coordination on the field, they must make it to the finals I think. Best wishes for the next match. Sania Nehwal and Sindhu are thorough to their next round and hope they will continue their run until they get a medal each. It's all over, for Rio of course, for Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa. The most-talked-about pair must not part ways after this loss. They make a good combination. Looking forward for Srikanth Kidambi's play. Indeed Badminton is a medal prospect for India, hope it proves so too.

I want to watch Dipa Karmakar's finals tomorrow. Hope I will be able to watch, huge time difference is taking its toll a few times this time round. While it could look easy but it's not actually easy to stand out in the list of  finalists, and that too in Gymnastics. Hope "Prudunova" will give India it's first Olympic medal in Gymnastics. Best wishes to her and her team.

Having been known as an yet another medal prospect for India, shooting event has sheerly disappointed at Rio. It was one of the unexpected performances ever. So is there case with Archery. But I believe Athletes have practiced their best and to perform their best in the given moment, a lot needs to be worked upon them in terms of handling pressure and performing-in-the-moment. Their coaches have a big job to do.

Men's hockey team has done well so far. Defense needs to rise their game to the medal-level I think. Marry Kom is being missed a lot at the Rio, and I hope Vikas Krishnan does it this time round. Athletics have just started and I'm looking forward for that men's 100 m finals and women 4*400 m relay, my favorite ever.

Can't end this post without mentioning about this cyclist. Special wishes to Kristen Armstrong for her hat-trick gold at the games in cycling. Her incredible story is a must read for every person, every woman, every mother especially. What she has done at the age of 42 once again proves that age is just a number and sport can not defeat it. Hearty congratulations to her. And I thank her for this inspiration.

Education... Take Home #588

Education is less about what we study and more about what we learn.

Nadal, Phelps, Bindra, Dipa and more! - Rio2016 #4

Olympics have kept showing route back to home to the top seeded players in tennis. Now the women world number one has to go!  Serena Williams lost it too! Surprised to see her losing, but again, losing is a part and parcel of the games people play. It will be an interesting final in the women's singles. Anyway, all these so called upsets do not bother me as long as Nadal keeps going. Waiting to see him coming back onto the Olympic podium; but that's a long way to go still.

Congratulations to Phelps for the 21st medal and the record, which will have to wait perhaps for a long time to get broken! America is leading the swelling pool! However, it's not good to see the top American players commenting Russian swimmers on doping row. It's a clear disrespect shown towards the tribunal that allowed the Russian players into the games.

I watched the replay of Athanu Das' 1/32 and 1/16 elimination rounds in men's individual archery event. Loved the four full and 'ten' arrows from him. Looking forward to him for successfully completing the next rounds. Also watched men's hockey - India vs Argentina. The way Argentineans fought towards the end was simply superb. Indian defence did not let the unfortunate happen. Very logically played, especially the last few minutes.

Dipa Karmakar's name is all around the social networking sites and news papers. Should have waited for her performance in finals before going onto all appreciation. While it's undeniable that she made her coach and many more proud, I believe she has a noble task at hand now and that's to perform her best in the finals, and hence to give a successful end to the hard work done for so many years. Let's see what's in store!

Eagerly waiting to see an Indian player stepping onto the podium. By the way, Abhinav Bindra secured fourth place in men's 10 m air-rifle final and a permanent spot in the hearts of many by saying that "Someone had to come fourth and it was my turn today". What a simple thinking! Always admired his body language, be it while standing on the podium as a winner or while answering the questions from media personal after a heart wrenching loss! Soft-spoken yet very straightforwardly meant. A lot to learn from! Will be missing to see him competing.

Inspiration - Take Home #587

Not just to succeed, inspiration is required to handle failures too.

Upsets and injuries! - Rio2016 #3

Though it's being called as an 'upset' by the tennis fraternity, I'm not upset but stunned to know that the current world number one player in men's tennis, Novak Djokovic, has lost his first round at Olympics to Martin Del Potro. Novac will have to wait for another four years! Actually, that's grueling Olympics can be. You practice for years to perform for few hours at Olympics, minutes and seconds in case of some sports, and you fail to walk upto the podium, and you have to wait practicing for yet another four years by being absolutely unsure of what's in store! But that's the reality. It's true with any form of the sport on any given platform. Olympics being hailed as the world's biggest platform for sports, some though, a loss is more than a loss. A defeat can be next to none. Coming back to tennis, Williams sisters' early loss in women doubles was unexpected too! Well, perceptually one's loss is another's chance. Life is too relative, you know!

Looking forward to see Nadal utilizing the chance and so is expected with Sania and co. Leander and his forced-doubles-partner had played a lot off the court and could not pay well on the court. Anyway, nothing much was expected from them, sadly, as their integrity as a team was just not enough if I may say so.

After two days of Olympic play, I woke up to a good news about Indian players and that's about our woman gymnast, Deepa Karmakar. Wishing her all the best to perform her best in the finals. Archers and shooters, so far, have clearly disappointed! Waiting to know about Bindra and Narang.

Injuries play an important role in any player's career. Or I must say 'fitness'! Very bad to know about the two gymnasts who got injured during their performances. Gymnastics to me appear as more of an art form than a sport form. I'm no one to conclude so though! Yet, they are one of the most entertaining events.

That's it for now.