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