World Champions

Hello everyone. The last time I wrote something on this blog was the time when few things were still the things of present for us. Team India won the world cup 28 years ago, Kapil Dev was the only Indian Captain to hold that crown, Sachin Tendulkar was still dreaming for his 1st world cup glory, IPL advertisement were just hitting the screens, "Satya Sai Baba" was still among us,Royal wedding dates were just arrived, according to India Osama Bin Laden was still hiding in Pakistan though nobody was ready to believe in this thing.Here comes the blog after 2 months of time and many things are things of past now.

To start with, Team India is the World Champions now or rather should I say, "WE ARE THE WORLD CHAMPIONS" and this is really a feeling of lifetime. How a world cup victory can unite the whole nation, we witnessed that just a month ago. As they say, if you want to become champion, you need to play like champions, defy all the odds against you and most importantly beat all the sides in the world. And yes team India did everything written above. They played like champions when it matters the most. They chased down highest total in the final, become the 1st side to win the world cup on home soil. They went according to their strength and most importantly they won it for the man himself "Sachin Tendulkar". This was supposed to be his last world cup and god has done the justice with his favorite kid. After waiting for 21 years he got the ultimate prize and not only he but all of us, who have watched or "Worshiped" should I say, for last 21 years have taste the sweetness of this ultimate prize. Whole team weather it's captain cool or the most influential person among the top 100 in world "MSD", the man of the tournament Yuvraj Singh, the man with the golden arm Zaheer Khan, the ever reliable "Bhajji", sloppy in the field but reliable with the ball Munaf Patel, Mr. street smart as he was named by Gary Kirsten Gautam Gambhir, the man for the crisis Suresh Raina,all among the 15 member squad(not to forget the supporting staff specially Gary Kirsten) and last but not the least SRT, they all contributed to the victory in the best possible manner. I still feels like shouting with joy once I see that clip of Dhoni hitting Kulasekra over mid on and surely I will be doing that for years to come. Not only me but the whole India celebrated in this moment of happiness and joy. Don't often you see, Sonia Gandhi, Big B, SRK riding on the open jeeps with Indian flags on the road. Such was the influence of this victory. Well done team India and thanks for giving whole nation something to cheer with.

Many other big events too happened in the last couple of months. Satya Sai Baba of putaparthi passed away after an illness and all their devotees fell in shock. His work for the humanity and his teachings will always remain there among the followers and devotees of Satya Sai Baba. May god give peace to the divine soul.

The wedding of the century finally took place at Buckingham palace and the world witness that. Such was the curiosity among the people that it really become the talk of the town only to be taken over by death of the man who killed many,
"Osama Bin Laden". Finally United States of America, after 1o years of search operation, spending billions able to find and kill the man who terrorized world with his act against humanity. With the death of Osama the thing that was hiding for years now come in front of the whole world that Pakistan is the country responsible for the terrorist activity and the Government itself providing the aids to the terror activity's in the country. Hope this will mark the start of something good when it comes to end the terror and killing of innocent people by our neighboring country. One can imagine the influence of the death of Osama bin laden among the people of America and whole world, that the person who live blogged the operation of OSB's death has become a personality. In just span of two days, he has more than 1 lakh followers on the microblogging site twitter, has already been interviewed by leading news papers and news channels of the world and still going strong.

Personally for me, these two months have been little up and down as always. Some family problem forced to minimize the joy of being World Champions but still would love to thank God that everything is going smooth now. Working in the night shift these days, and workload in the office is such that whole night passes like a blink of an eye. I have never worked that much in my life, and too can easily say never ever I learned that much in just a span of two months. Good going I should say. So that's it for the time now. It was awesome to summarize the bunch of great activities happened in past few months in a single blog. I would love to end this post by congratulating SRT for the world cup win by writing few lines that I copied from movie Om Shanti Om:

"Itni shidat se tujhe mene pane ki koshish ki hai, ke har zarre ne mujhe tumse milane ki koshish ki hai. Wo kehte hain na ke yadi kisi cheez ko dil se chaho to puri kaynat tumhe usse milane ki koshish mein jut jati hai."

So till next post, stay fit, stay cool(though bit difficult as summers are coming) and have a nice time.

Cheers,

Munish Sharma

World Cup 2011 Preview

The Image says it all.Yes the world cup is here and I am just going to write about that for next couple of months.First of all Happy new year to all.. Though it’s more than one month since the new year starts but still because it’s my new post so just would love to wish everyone a very happy and prosperous year 2011. Time is moving like a fast train and really feeling the heat with the span of time. But as i wrote in the last post that this year is going to be a very special one, not only for me but for the whole country and specially for the cricket fraternity. This whole nation is full of people following cricket more than anything, so next couple of months seems to be special for everyone. These are not only special because Cricket world cup is happening in India or subcontinent but because by any means this is India’s best chance to win it. And why not!!! This team is at the peak of it’s game and if form says something then yes, this side has caliber to repeat the heroics of 1983.
As a die hard cricket fan, this is really something enormous and exciting for me at least. So will be writing a lot about Cricket stuff for coming 2 months at least. Today I will look at all sides, their strong points and weaknesses. To start with The world cup Co-host India and one of the favorites to rewrite the 83 history. Though team India carry favorite tag in almost all the big tournaments but this time it seems as a necessity to just consider them as the biggest contenders for the world cup. Everything seems to be at place for them. Batsmen scoring runs of late, bowlers taking wickets specially spinners doing a wonderful job which is the best thing for any side playing in sub-continent, though pacers are a little worry but still they have capability to run through any side. If we look at the batting perspective for this side, they got 7 match winners in their batting line up which is a big plus going into a big tournament like this. And then they got, of course the special mention, The little master Sachin Tendulkar who is possibly playing his last world cup (though we would not mind him playing two more :p) this is a huge occasion. He has shine in almost all the world cups, so he knows what it takes to be at the personal best for the huge tournament like this. I will pick yuvraj, pathan, bhajji with sachin as team india’s game changers this time around.
Next I will talk about the defending champions Australia. They are always favorites when it comes to ICC trophies but this time around they seems to be lacking in confidence and this Australian side is just not looking like the old Australian side who has that never die attitude, so it will be great to see how they will they come up in this tournament. But still they got a very good chance of making it to the semis.
Next on the radar is co-host Sri-lanka and other favorite tagged side. They are favorite because they got a good opening pair, middle order, spin bowling but they certainly lacks in strong middle order. Their is almost nobody to back up Mahela, Sanga and Dilshan. So it will be interesting battle once they loose quick wickets. But still very much a formidable side. And with Murali is still around and hungry for wickets he will certainly want to make this last World cup as his last shot at the big prize. Semis seems to be a almost certainty for them. Next are another favorites South Africa but again they say they lack the big tournament pressure handling technique or we can say they choke when it matters the most. Talking about their side, they got a good batting line up with likes of Amla, Smith, AB Deviliars, kallis and duminy. And in bowling they got the best pace bowling attack but spin could be a problem but still will say, if they play up to their levels and don’t choke under pressure, they certainly are my pick up for semis. Now next are the four sides who are not the favorites but suddenly you can’t write them off as they all got World beater players but as a team how they come out would be a thing to watch out for. Pakistan got a talented side with likes of Afridi, akmal brother, razzaq,Misbah,younis and akhtar but their problem would be to play as a bunch of team and that will be most important thing in this big tournament. English side was looking in good shape in Ashes but really they are not the side tailor made for the ODI format and the loss of Eoin Morgan put them further into hole. But still with the likes of Pietersen, Collingwood, strauss, bell, anderson, swann this side could come up with few surprises. Black caps seems to be in totally disarray and they almost forget how to win a match. But hope that their big players Maccllum, Taylor, Ryder and vettori would come out with some inspirational performance to have some fight. Semis seems to be a big thing for them. Next is the Caribbean side but again they really almost forget how to win a Cricket match. But with likes of Gayle, Chanderpaul, Sarwan and pollard you can’t write them off. But surely they will get a huge fight from Bangladesh who as co-host really seems to be a dangerous side and are very much capable of pulling of few surprises in front of their home crowd.
So all in all this world cup seems to be a far far exciting and surprising then earlier editions. But before finishing off the post would love to predict something and would love to watch the output after at least one and half months.
Seems to be India, Australia, South Africa, Sri lanka are the sides to go upto the semis. And in the end it will be India that will surely come up triumph this time around.
In the end would just like to wish Team India Best of luck and hope they will bring the 83 glory back this time around. So till next post that will be after the India bangladesh match, have a nice time and have a happy cricketking month.
Cheers,
Munish Sharma.

Year Review 2010

What an astonishing year I have so far!!! I have faced almost everything this year. Started the year with injuries, accident, then job debacle then another job debacle and finally things are looking towards going somewhere in my favor at least. Hope this year would be the last as bachelor though will not be marrying next year but surely will find my soul-mate :) And feeling quiet good and refreshed as entering into perhaps my last year of bachelor life.Now that's enough of personal things, come back to the currently moving world which is around cricket for me and is moving quiet fast these days. It's been cricket cricket and cricket for last 3 months or so now. Earlier they talk about Team India is playing very few number of tests but now everybody feels they are playing too much of test. First 2 against OZ at home, then 3 against NZ and now will be playing 3 against SA. But as long as they playing good cricket and winning nobody will be complaining at least I'm not. This team India or the World's best ranked side is on a rampage these days. After being crowned world's no.1 side they are really playing like champions. The batsman are scoring runs under all conditions, bowlers are taking wickets and bhajji is scoring centuries, so it's all going India's way for last 2 years or so now.
I watched playing Sachin Tendulkar in but could have become a test to remember for ages in Mohali this September, and can just say it was the best experience of the life. The things about him that people talk a lot like his solid defense, Cover drive, on drive, square drive, punch of the back-foot, I almost witnessed everything in his inning except for the thing he known more, he missed on a well deserved hundred. India is on tour of SA now and match at super sports park centurion is about to begin in an hour. Hoping for a good series. And here come the prediction of the year. The way team India is playing it should be 2-1 (India). No more comments on this :).BTW SA have won the toss and are bowling first. So it will be clash of the season. Sehwag vs Dale steyn. Bring it on.
Oh forget to write about the religious place visited last month. Visited Golden temple in Amritsar. Really the peace and the way temple is decorated was worth watching. I Would love to go there again and again.
In the end could just say, end of a fascinating year in which at least my big desire of life to become a programmer is seems to be heading on a good path.
That's it from year 2010. Next post will be in the year which is going to most exciting in my life at least(fingers crossed though). So till 2011 it's good bye. Happy new year to all. Stay healthy and fit. Good luck.

Cheers,
Munish Sharma

The Cricket thing

I would love to start with a quote I read yesterday and was really worth reading. "My browser says delete your history and I choose College life". I gave that a deep look yesterday and thought that, was it that much bad that I really want to be deleted from life. Doesn't think so but yes few things would love to and too as early as I can. But then they say everybody has good and bad times in life. So that bad for me at least, so it's better to forget that and move on with the life.
Earlier I just used to write things related to cricket on my blog but really thinking of posting something else here too because I am not only a cricket freak but a Software Engineer too. So hope to mix passion with profession soon.
But today have miscellaneous things coming to mind. First one, of course related to cricket. Team India have a decent outing in last 3-4 months now. After a poor show in the T20 WC they come good in triangular series in Sri Lanka and then played fantastic cricket to square the series in SL which only one side has been able to do in last 10 years or so and unsurprisingly that is Australia which is exception in Cricket always. So much cricket going on these days as pakistan played their home series against OZ in England. First test it was just a matter of another OZ showdown but Pak does well to come up with good performance in second test to level the series. In recent past I really became fan of few of the Pakistani cricketers namely Ameer and Asif. Such deadly duo in the swinging conditions.
Another pretty interesting thing happen to me in last 3 month was that I got appreciation from Mr. Harsha Bhogle, one of the finest commentator in World. That was something to cheer about. Till next post ta ta!!! See ya.

Cheers,
Munish Sharma

Blog Post

First of all hi to all.. I don't remember when I last wrote anything on my blog but today going to write a lot. As so many things coming to mind today. Of course most things will be related to cricket. The IPL finally came to an end. And CSK despite all SRT's heroics, won it. So many things happened in this just one tournament that u can't narrate them all in just one post but would still love to write about all in just this post only.
First will start from tournament first week. It was well known from the start of the tournment the final four sides reached in the tournament will be side to watch out for but stll few have little doubt over MI because the way they have played in last two editions they are always favorites at the start and become under achievers at the end.But this time their captain take the responsibility to take team through and he almost succeedd in that but just fails at the last moment.
MSD did what he used to do, played out of skin in the do-or-die match against Kings X1 and won it single handedly and what happened after that is history. CSK won the IPL in second attempt.
IPL was too surrounded by so many controversies during and after the tournament, as it's popular commissioner Mr. Lalit Modi caught in the midst of so many controversies. Whatever happen, I will hope that IPL will return next year again for the IPL-4 with bang.
Now IPL part is over and I must move to the next part that is T20 WC and here I must say that history repeats itself for Team India at least. Like the WC 2009 Team India arrived in WI with favorite tag, they showed that potential in the match against SA but failed to short pitch stuff, terrible bowling and lazy fielding and in the end crashed out of the WC without winning a super eight match. But I must say one of the semis played become the best match ever played in T20s. It's not because Australia chased down 192 but it was because the way they chased it. I read some wonderful lines written on the cricinfo commentary page and they were just true as far as Australian cricket is concerned. I am copying those lines here as they all were worth reading. "Australianism prevails - : Australianism," wrote Arlott, "means single-minded determination to win - to win within the laws but, if necessary, to the last limit within them. It means where the 'impossible' is within the realm of what the human body can do, there are Australians who believe that they can do it - and who have succeeded often enough to make us wonder if anything is impossible to them. It means they have never lost a match - particularly a Test match - until the last run is scored or their last wicket down." Just read them as they are the greatest motivation for anyone. But Australianism just halted at the final stage. A determined England side led by KP won the final at last and too won their first ever ICC event.
That was for regular cricket update, next will move to some personal stuff as on blog they say you can express yourself not only by writing general things but you can too write personal things. Not too personal though :).
Life is going smooth, moving on a fast lane and have seen lots of up's and down's in last 8 months in smartData. Enjoying working though. I too have extended my social life and used to regularly update myself on social sites like twitter, facebook etc etc. But just don't get time to update the blog. But surely will be updating the same from today onwards regularly and will not only write related to cricket or sports but also related to some technical aspects. But for now, signing off as think have written enough for this post and too it's already 5:00 am in the morning and left with just half an hour in office.
Hope everybody is fit and fine. So till next post keep smiling.
Regards
Munish Sharma.

Funny Facts About Chandigarh

Hello to everyone.As u can see from the image above today I am going to write about city beautiful. These days I am getting enough time to use some part of my imagination and write something. And this time, I am going to write some wonderful and funny facts about my favorite city "Chandigarh". Although I too read them from somewhere but would love to share them with u all.
The following things are just true about city beautiful and few of these I am used to see daily:

1. University elections become more important than MLA, MC elections (SOPU, PUSU burrrahh)
2. You always have a 'pind' to goto every month.
3. You always have a separate budget (after buying a car) for bigger tyres, alloy wheels, stereo, woofer.
4. Shopping in guys' vocabulary refers to buying daru from Jugnu Ahata and soda, glasses from any confectionery.
5. Names like Neelam, Nirman, Kiran, Jagat, Batra, Piccadily(No more available though) aren't just names but entertainment centers.
6. Car-o-bar refers to drinking with glasses on the dickey of the car in sector 8 market late at night
7.Paranthe wale are the chefs who come out late at night at sector 16 to make paranthe and chai for late night party goers.
8.Abbreviations like GCG, MCM mean a lot without knowing their full forms.(Their full names are Govt College for Girls and Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV college for girls though :-h)
9.Guys speak in loud Punjabi when a group of girls passes by and girls start speaking in English every time a group of guys passes by.
10. The traffic cops start the challan drive in the last week of March to end the year in good numbers.
11. Everyone has a 'massi' in Canada, and a 'bhua' in UK.
12. Once upon a point Valentine's Day meant tractors on Gehri route and speeds of only 5 km.
13. A new year's bash is incomplete without a fight
14. Everyone has some political connection.
15. Stu C(Student Center Panjab University) is more popular with non students.
16. You are proud of being from a particular school and a passive member of its alumni group (YPS, Vivek, Sna, GNPS, Carmel, SJOBA etc.
17. Going to the dog show means checking out the girls more than the dogs
18. Owning a Bullet while still in school is an achievement.
19. Spending upto Rs 2 lacs on number 1 for a car's number plate does not raise any eyebrows.
20. Kinetic Honda scooter is referred to as Kiney and Bullet bike as Bullt.
21. You are proud of being a Punjabi.
22. 'Mallo Malli Khadak Piyan' sticker is found on many cars.
23. Guys are called by their surnames, (Brar, Sandhu bai, Dhillon) and followed by "Kiven aa, Kidaan!!
24. 22g, 62 is only understood by you.
25. You are shocked to find out when someone doesn't drink and is a vegetarian.
26. Many people are 'vella' when asked what they do.
27. Everyone's been to the Rock & Rose Garden and hate to show it yet again to family friends/relatives from other cities.
28. One hand, while driving, is on the 'muchh' and the other on the steering wheel.
29. A new car, bike etc. first comes to the Gehri route n later to the gurudwara or mandir.
30. Coke and Pepsi come in small 'Sheeshee'.
31. Your every sentence has a " Ma Di" or "Bhen Di".
32. Anyone and Everyone has had food at "Pal Da Dhaba" and "Giani Da Dhaba (Dharampur)"
33. Everyone has listened the song "Chandigarh kare aashiqui" by B21
34. Bikers are challaned even if the rider is not wearing a helmet and girls are allowed to ride without one.
35. While in school everyone waits for tuition time to finally talk to the special person (not in a uniform)
36. Very few ppl know about the Mosque in sector 20 and the Church in sector 18
37. Most ppl have been challaned more than once (for speeding mostly)
38. And most ppl have gone to the district courts in sector 17 to get their challans cleared (as it is cheaper than paying the fine at sector 29 police lines)
39. A good looking car turns more heads than a pretty girl
40. English speaking girls are usually referred to as "chinkan" or "jhankan"

Aren't these funny and interesting?? Yes they are. I laughed quiet a lot after reading all these, hope they will too make u laugh.

Keep Smiling and give your valuable feedback and suggestions.

Cheers
Munish Sharma

The Happy Time

It's now really long long time since I have written something here. But feeling very happy and relaxed while writing today. Happy because life has taken U-turn suddenly and from nowhere i am feeling like settled somehow. Plenty of things happened in very short period of time but those all are not only surprising but pleasing too. I got a new job and guess what in the city where I have always dreamt of spending good time. Yes.. In City Beautiful(Chandigarh). I am working at smartData Enterprise as a Software Engineer. Although working in night shift but I am loving work in night shift this time around.I have so many people to thank for this new job. First God, Monster.com (Job Site from smartData people pick my Resume) and a special thanks to Solgens Corp. It always feel good to do the work you are aiming for quiet while and I am really feeling good these days. Perhaps the best time of life. Hope it get carry on like this for sometime now.
Now would love to talk about the happy time I spent in the month of September. I got selected on 9th of September in smartData and since then have spend very good time. I am happy to sharing room with Gagan and Akhil with whom I spent three very good years during my hostel stay at lovely. I visited holy shrine of Naina Devi for first time last month and felt quiet good. The whole schedule has changed since new job. Its like wake up time at 5 in the evening, bath, some junky food, and then get ready for the office. And after spending 9-11 billing hours in the office from 8 to 6 in the morning, its almost exhausting. And then back to room after having breakfast.



Life has got more busier then it was earlier. Have very less time for myself but weekends are entertaining as have holiday on Saturday and Sunday usually. And there is no better place then Chandigarh to spend weekend. Shanti kunj, Rose Garden, 17 market, Sukhna lake and many others.
Sister's marriage is near at home(2nd December) and have very less time left for shopping and other things. But hope to get everything complete on time. Tonight would be living for home for Diwali Festival. Wishing you all Happy & Prosperous Diwali..

Keep Smiling :)
Munish Sharma

The Champ is HERE!!!

The title "The CHAMP is here" suggests something John Cena used to call for himself but the same can be used for any champion and if that is for Roger Federer not many would disagree. I really feel excited and nervous after a long time while watching television yesterday. Of course there was a strong reason behind that as my all time favorite player Roger Federer was chasing history or destiny as he called it. It didn’t start in a good fashion though when he lost first set to determined Andy Roddick in a tiebreak. Second set too went to the wires and when it seems Federer will be two sets down he shifts gear and from 2-6 down in the tiebreak he took the set. And what happened rest is history. After more than four hours of tough battle Federer regain supremacy in the world tennis again. Not only he became the first player ever in tennis history to win 15 grand slams but he too regains the No.1 spot from Rafael Nadal.
There were many people around the world thought that Federer’s supremacy is over once Nadal starting to take everything away from Federer, but Federer continue his consistency and seized the opportunity when Nadal was not at the other side of the court and first he won his Maiden French Open and then won 15th grand slam. Of course the manner in which he is going he will sure win at least 3-4 grand slam and will write his name in the history of tennis world as the greatest ever tennis player to play the game. Congrats Sir!!!!!

Miscllenous Things

It’s long since I have written anything here. But today have lot to write as so much happened around in the last month or so. I would love to start from the IPL. What an end to the tournament. Really surprising. Before the start of the tournament I predicted (I have a habit of that in Cricket) that the four possible semi-finalist would be MI, CSK, DD, and DC. And I was 75% right. Unfortunately my favorite side Mumbai Indians bows out of the tournament due to some confused performance (They were really confused in almost everything in the tournament). So there was just one change. RCB out of nowhere raise their game at the right moment and ensure a spot in the semis with some brilliant individual performances by Ross Taylor, Manish Pandey. In the first semis there was just one difference between the DD and DC. And it was of Mr. Church (Nick name of Adam Gilchrist) or Gilly. He just tore DD bowlers into parts. And before DD bowlers settle the game was almost over. Even at my home, everybody was supporting DD except me. I was supporting DC since last tournament but there they ended at the bottom. And in the finals at the crunch moments again Australians showed why they are called the world champions!!! Andrew Symonds one over just changed the match in their favor. So after all the drama it was time for Deccan Chargers to celebrate after last year humiliation.
During IPL season I was too keeping a close eye on my second favorite game –Tennis. I am following this for years now although haven’t played it even once but the game really excites me. And there was so much to excite about this year as my favorite player Roger Federer completes the rare job this time around which eluded him for last 4 years now. Most eyes were raised once his nemesis Rafael Nadal bows out of the tournament by determined Robin Soderling. But still plenty of work to be done and Federer just did that in style. And after a one sided final he was on his knees with joy. He really deserves that. His views “I can play without any pressure now for rest of my carrier. No body will come to me and say that I haven’t won French Open yet” says it all. Congrats Sir. Now he is looking to become the greatest man to ever play the game by winning on his favorite surface Grass in Wimbledon open to cross Pete Samprass’s 14 grand slam winning streak.
Next I am going to talk about the thing that really kept me and most cricket fans in India in shock for at least few days. Team India went to England with tag-Defending T20 World champions. The players were riding high on confidence after the successful IPL. But it all started badly for Team India with news of conflict between Captain MS Dhoni and Sehwag. Although the teams union show in front of press came us later but still there was some fire for sure. Sehwag’s return and India dismal performance proved that too. Team India really was out of socks and first time in his carrier MSD faced tough time or you can say luck was just not favoring him. All his decisions were going wrong and decision for sending Jadeja at number 3 proved to be disaster.
Indians played badly and were out of the tournament before semis but still one man was impressive as always the king of sixes “Yuvraj Singh”. I was almost ready to switch off the TV in the match against England but his first ball six was really something to admire. And if I am not correct just have a look at the cricinfo commentator’s wording for that shot “Mascarenhas to Yuvraj Singh, SIX, that's massive. How on earth do you spend an hour in the dug out, and then hit a stroke like that for your first ball? Shot of the day, an elegant loft for six over the top!” Really shot of the tournament.
I am not a supporter of Pakistan but the way they played in this tournament was really great to watch. From the Yorkers of Umar Gul to the maturity of Boom Boom Afridi everything was perfect. First time they deserved something and they got that in the end.

Last but not the least how can I forget to mention the happy moments back at home. My loving Sister Lacku’s Ring ceremony took place on 13th of this month.

Stable Government

Finally the people of India have voted for stability at the Center. That verdict carries a message with it: India wants progress; it wants a sense of direction; as clearly, it does not want to be moved away by the pulls and pressures of a coalition of different interests each pulling in a different direction. At least this will not happen now.

Before these polls so much said about prime minister, coalition government. But pre poll verdicts all went wrong. Indian National Congress is all set to return to power in center after an almost thumping victory (almost because it is still 12 short of the majority, but they will make up for that surely).

Personally I am just disappointed by these results. Being a big supporter of BJP that really terrible but for the sake of country I will take these results. I didn’t vote because of some busy schedule in the office but didn’t matter as our candidate Mr. Anurag Thakur won convincingly by a margin of 77000 votes. So that far more than satisfactory. Result went in BJP favor in Himachal Pradesh mainly due to the satisfactory work done by the state Government. But overall BJP suffers heavy defeat.

But now all set for the Congress to continue with the work they started in the last five years. Hope that economy will become more strong and Government take further steps towards the development of country.

Cheers!!
Munish

IPL Returns

Drama regarding IPL venue shifting, postponing of schedules, security concerns is over and now whole focus is shifted to Cricket. IPL-RETURNS. And returns with a bang. Its now entered into 6th day which means I am quiet late to react. But was so much busy for last week or so that didn't even get time to write anything here. Anyways I have quiet few things to describe today. The way this tournament started, the way things are going it will be again a big hit thats for sure.

Venue is shifted to South Africa which means no team will be holding the host advantage. But still DD,CSK, MI, DC have plenty in their kitty to tag them as the favorites for last 4 spot. But I am quiet disappointing the way my favorite team(not by players mean but city wise and too "Priety" factor)Kings XI Punjab has played so far. I am not predicting but assured that if they continue playing the way they are playing right now they will be placed at the bottom half of the table. Two teams those are looking more destructive, composed and balanced are my last time favorites Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians. Deccan got things going under the new captain Adam Gilchrist and their batting line up so as bowling is on the track. In batting, Gilly himself along side Gibbs, Rohit Sharma, Laxman, Styris looking quiet good(not to forget "Roy Symonds" will return soon)and in bowling department Edwards, R.P and Ojha are commanding so far. Looking forward for a better show from them this time around. Mumbai on the other got the World's most experienced opening pair of Sachin and Sanath("Motera Mauler" a name given to Jayasurya due to his destructive batting). Alongside them they have Duminy, Bravo, Nayar. In bowling too they got "Slinger" Malinga, Zak and the world's top spinner Bhajji. Quite a experienced side!!
The other two possible Semi-Finalists are Sehwag's Daredevils and Dhoni's Super Kings.

For the others, Bangalore Started well under KP but they suddenly lost momentum following two heavy defeats. SRK's Nightriders looks like they haven't came out of multi captain theory. And last but not the least, last time champions, Rajasthan Royals again started badly and then rain washed the next match. But what happened last night is something RR known for, changing the things when they are almost out of control. They won a cliffhanger yesterday and given by the form of explosive Yusuf Pathan, new slinger Kamran Khan and motivational captain "The Spin Wizard" Shane Warne they are again seem to be on track.
The final four lineup would become more interesting with tournament proceeds. But I will still bet for MI, CSK, DC and DD for the semi final spot. Else they say "Future is uncertain".
Keep watching and Enjoying IPL.
Cheers,
Munish

Jai Mata Di

I am a very religious person. It almost in my routine to visit temple. And i feel blessed to be a resident of a Chintpurni holy shrine(almost 15 minutes from home). I always wished to visit the biggest of them all "Mata Vaishno Devi" Temple. I am feeling very pleased, satisfied to write that I visited the temple day before yesterday. It almost like a dream come true. This was my second trip but earlier one I don't remember anything as at that time was just of 2 years old. So its just a great feeling to go there.
We were 7 people in the group. We started around 10 p.m from Ludhiana. We just enjoyed the whole travel up to Katra. We had just one stoppage on the way as we stopped near Damtal 15 km from Pathankot. And once the road from Jammu to Katra started the whole view was just awesome. Beautiful mountains and the the shades of rising sun making the travel more enjoyable.
We all were wondering about the rush at the temple and what we saw at Katra made us more anxious. People were standing in long queues waiting for tickets. Then started the most difficult part of the trip.
We were finding a place to settle down and some sleep but we got nothing for first 4 hours. We all were tired and restlessness increased the tiring. Then we found a hotel and just after resting for couple of hours we started the journey.
Then first come the place so called "BanGanga". From here we started the long journey of 16 k.m upto Darbar. We used slogans like "Jai kara Shera wali da bol sache darbar ki jai" along the way.

After walking for almost 7 hours we reached "Bhawan". We were just amazed to see the rush at the Bhawan. I personally never saw so many people together in my whole life. I took "Prashad" and rested a while before bathe in almost freeze water. I worshiped at the Bhawan around 3 in the morning. Darshan at the Bhawan were not so good as I got few second to look at the main "Pindi". Then we all moved to "Bhaironath Temple". And after few hours of walk I reached in the hotel and we came back around 3 and reached our place in the mid-night.
I am just feeling so refreshed and energetic after visiting Maa Vaishno Devi temple.
All in all, it was really a great experience and like a dream come true.
Jai Mata Di,
Munish

Winning Effort!!!

Before the start of the test series somebody asked me in the office” So Munish what would be the result of the series? ” (he asked me so as I am a good predictor when it comes to cricket.. lolz) and my simple reply was 2-0 India. And the prediction almost becomes a reality but rain god just denied that. I was checking my mobile since morning for the latest score (as there is no other source in the room for latest updates) and when I saw 210/5 I was quiet assured that we will win it but after some time it just stuck in 281/8 because of rain. Anyways Indian’s fans will take 1-0 after 41 years.
Almost every Indian fan was assured of Indian victory before the start of the series because the kind of confidence Indian Team have in themselves these days they can beat any side in world cricket(Australia, England are the latest examples). And the way team won in the first test at Hamilton it becomes more sure. But then come the toughest test of the tour. But again team showed what they are up to as they saved the test almost from a dying situation.
If I talk of players then I can't name the single individual as everybody chip in when it required. Whether its Sachin and Harbhajan in the first, Gambhir and Laxman in the second and Zak, Gambhir and Bhajji in the third everybody performed.
Now the whole focus will be shifted to million dollar IPL and me too eagerly waiting for that. I was supporting Deccan Chargers last year but unfortunately they ended up at the bottom. Hoping for a better show from them this time around.
Cheers!!
Munish

Tata Nano launched finally

Finally, Tata Nano is here. After a long journey full of admiration and controversies, Tata Nano, the small yet innovative car by Tata launched yesterday. The world's cheapest car which is promising affordable and comfortable vehicle to millions of Indians for whom a car was far out of reach. The snub-nosed(a term used for sharp or flat nose),4 seater 623 rear engine an idea and dream of Tata group chairmen Mr. Ratan Tata.
But with its much awaited launch on Monday, it also faces the biggest challenge of delivering on promises. The journey to Nanos launch which has been delayed by at least six months has not been an easy one neither for Tata Motors nor for Ratan Tata. The project got in a political controversy in West Bengal, where Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamul Congress stood against the land given for the cars factory at Singur. After a long wait, Tatas withdrawing from the state late last year, only to head to Sanand in Gujarat, where production will take at least one year to start.
Tata Motors will now launch the Nano, but with limited production capacity that is believed to be only around 50,000-60,000 units in the first year.
Of course everybody is looking forward to this dream car so as I as this is specially built by keeping in mind the Middle Class Family. But before buying it,one biggest question which will come in any Himachali person's mind(Being a resident of Himachal Pradesh, I have to think of that) will it fit in our road, will it able to move smoothly through the hilly roads of Himachal Pradesh. And if it would be then I can say it will be The "Biggest Hit".

Microsoft Internet Explorer Rolls Out..

Microsoft Corp. is set to publicly launch Internet Explorer 8 early on Thursday, the latest version of its market-dominating Web browser.
The application can be downloaded from Microsoft's website from 9 a.m.

IE8, as it is commonly referred to, has been in public beta testing for about a year, but Thursday's launch marks its full public roll out.

Microsoft, the world's largest software company, said IE8 will run with Windows Vista, its latest operating system, and also Windows XP, the previous version which some users still prefer over Vista.

The application replaces IE7, which has a hold on the browser market. According to a recent survey Internet explorer has a 72.2 per cent market share, ahead of the Mozilla’s Firefox browser with 17.2 per cent.

Google new Chrome browser has only 2.8 per cent of the market, while Apple Safari has less than 1 per cent.

New features in IE8 include right-clicking on addresses or other Web features to go straight to a map or put into a blog or other website, which Microsoft calls an "accelerator". Users will also be able to put in keywords in the address bar to recall sites visited related to that word.

The new browser also has enhanced security protection, for example warning users if they are about to download something from a site known to be a source of malicious software, or "malware".

So download it from official Microsoft Website or follow the link: (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/beta/worldwide-sites.aspx) and enjoy.

Happy surfing..

India_New Zealand Test-Series

So whack whack form of Cricket is over and now its turn of more serious, patient form of the game i.e Test Cricket. So far India's tour of New-Zealand is mixture of both success and failure. India lost both T-20 matches and being the world champions that a bit of shame but recovered in a brilliant way to win the ODI series. India outplayed New-Zealand in all departments of the game and won the series despite a consolation win for the hosts in the dead rubber and created history by winning first ever ODI series in New-Zealand. India's earlier failure in New-Zealand were mostly due to the failure of their batsman but this time they just show their strength in the batting department.Sehwag was devastating and so as others. This is arguably the best batting line-up in the world right now.

But now its the time to switch to the more patience form of cricket. In this form experience matters more than anything and Team India had plenty of that. The trio of Sachin, Dravid and Laxman along with Sehwag, Gambhir Dhoni and Yuvraj will try to put as much runs as they can on the board to give a chance to the bowlers. In bowling department India too have plenty of experience with Zaheer leading the fast bowling department along with Ishant and Harbhajan in the spin department could be equally effective. New-Zealand too is a good side and they too have some class in both departments. With likes of Brendon Mcullum, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder they have a strong batting line up and in Daniel Vettori they have the world's best left arm spinner. So its almost a equal fight(Hoping for comfortable India's win though).Hope you all will enjoy the series and get disturbed in the early morning as the match will start at 3:30(IST).

Cheers!!!
Munish

First Blog

Cricket!!!! I need not to tell aything new to anyone as there are so many experts of this beautiful sport already in the country. For me cricket is not just a game but something more than that. For me cricket is passion. I enjoy everything relating to this game. Whether playing it, watching it or reading something related to this.
I just love this game and trying to find some way by which i can express my thoughts on this beautiful sport. So I am starting blog writing from today onwards to express something about my passion.
Hope you will enjoy these posts and will give your important feedback.