Debacle at the Debate

Yesterday was a day of wins and losses. In May this year, I participated in the Human Rights debate. Subsequently, Sunil and I were chosen to represent NSG at the Zonal level. We cracked that level and emerged tops. The national semis and finals were held on 15th and 16th respectively in Delhi. In the semis, we faced 15 other teams from a total of eight zones. The BSF team was well prepared. Not to our or anyone else's surprise, we topped it here too, entering the finals with gusto and the confidence of another win. We were facing only 14 other participants. It was now a battle between 8 teams for the top spot. I guess our confidence was misplaced. Both of us spoke well enough to get us an 'I' grading but not well enough to win a position. On a lower level, it was the 'Dabangg' BSF vs the 'Three idiots' (Sunil, Malik and I). The BSF took almost all the top honours. I don't know what we should have done. Rejoice for our parent organisation or feel sorry for letting down our present one? The jury for the finals consisted of the chairman of the NHRC, K G Balakrishnan, former CJI, three DG rank officers and the resident editor of the 'Week' in Delhi. What such an eminent panel was looking for shall remain a mystery.

Haircut

On the domestic front, our baby got her first haircut on the 13^th. She did raise a hue and cry, but it was only to protest our preventing her from falling asleep. The presence of Nagender and family made it a festive occasion. We thought she would not like losing her tresses but on the contrary, she’s enjoying her bald pate. She has been soaking up the attention that gets from her so many ‘uncles’ and ‘aunties’. In general, she enjoys the company of ‘uncles’ more than the ‘aunties’. I guess she gets turned off by the gossiping that starts soon after they meet. Whereas the ‘uncles’ give her all the attention she wants. They sing songs for her, laugh for her, let her tug their moustaches and pull their hair without feeling conscious.

CWG

The Commonwealth games are over. A lot of sleaze, corruption charges and other stink raising issues have since gone past. In a latest poll by newspapers and TV channels, Indians in metros think we salvaged our lost pride after the spectacular opening ceremony. But there some moments that brought the smile back on our faces. The opening ceremony was one, of course. The spirited audience singing the national anthem every time we won a gold added to the patriotic fervour. And of course, the players. The more media savvy, ‘one with the modern world’ didn’t do any wonders. It was the relatively unknowns from villages in Haryana who won us 14 gold medals in different disciplines. The icing on the cake came from Saina Nehwal, who took India to the second position after winning her final match. After the match, we saw how publicity shy she was, awkwardly posing for photos and enjoying the adulation with reluctance. Hope she stays grounded.

Aadya

It has been some time since I wrote. Events have a funny way of picking up speed. Or rather, Archana and I were missing out on the ‘roller-coaster ride’ that becomes part of your life when your kid is of that age where she wants to take the controls out of your hands. On July 12, Aadya was 5 month old. Around a week later, she had already started to turn over and crawl ‘backwards’. When she hit her 6 month birthday, she also started landing on her head from on top of the bed. One very good habit that she has (touch wood!!) is her sleep pattern. On a normal day, she is groggy by around 9 pm and asleep by 10. If not disturbed, she sleeps straight through the night, waking up at around 5-5.30 in the morning. I sometimes wonder how other parents cope with children who sleep in the day and spend the night, or at least most of it, wide awake. With Aadya, even the slightest sound will disturb her sleep in the day and (it has been our experience) the loudest of music will seem a lullaby in the night. But I guess we didn’t know what we had been missing over the past so many years.

AC (DE) Reunion

When we got talking in the morning today about the crazy nicknames we have for each other, I surmised its never too late to late to talk of an event such as this! I couldn't have it any other way. 'Landoor', 'PLD', 'Dudhiya', etc etc are too endearing to let go. Even though these chaps were not present that day on the 14 of last month. We had a great time, catching up on gossip, with most of us not in the BSF these days. The kids freaked out and so did their parents once we eased out. We should have a bigger do next year.

Terror in Pune

The events from yesterday have brought me back to the writing board. It was saddening to see my home-town being attacked. German Bakery, as we know it, in Koregaon Park is a landmark. Although, in the same lane is the more famous Rajneesh Ashram. A dastardly act, meant to frighten Puneites and India. But look at the support from the locals. They had mobilised ambulances within minutes and had rushed the injured to hospitals. Fortunately, in the vicinity are Pune's best hospitals. Why do terror mongers people have to resort to these means to get their message across. News channels are projecting conspiracy theories involving the LeT, the IM etc. It was interesting to see the Indian Mujahideen letter head on the news. It has, right on the top, the words - 'In the name of Allah, the most beneficient, the most merciful'. Ironic. They are slaughtering innocents in the name of Allah. Terror strikes like these gives us all the more reason to go out there and foil any further attempts. I hope people in Pune don't stay at home.