Chak De India!

Just watched a re-run of the movie 'Chak De India' on television yesterday.This movie never ceases to amaze me.It is wonderful to see how a coach manages to bring together a young women's hockey team to play for India even as there are distinctions in the team based on the states the members belong to.In the beginning he sees that each one is bent on focussing on the state they belong to and the coach ,in his own unique way, teaches them that in unity alone lies true power.This is done when a bunch of lecherous boys try to act fresh with one of their members.That is enough to get them all together and bash the living daylights out off the boys.

There were many a special moments in the flick which has made it an endearing one.There is the mega moment when the coach tells them to introduce themselves and when they do so by highlighting the state they belong to, he makes them do the introduction once again introducing themselves as Indians.The one that is one of my favourites was when the women's hockey team plays against the men's hockey team and is appreciated for its performance in spite of losing for their sheer grit and determination.One was when the coach sees a Briton hoisting the Indian Tricolour at the game venue before the big match..Another one that was super was when one member rejects the proposal of her cricketer boyfriend to discover herself and her game.The camaraderie among the team members is noteworthy and it showcases how a team compartmentalized by states , religion, language or caste can never win while a team that is united can beat all odds.What a lesson for us!

This movie was a blockbuster and everyone raved about it.How I wish everyone watched this and learnt the big lesson in it for all of us!This movie teaches us that unity is indeed strength.If you have not yet watched this superb movie I recommend you do so.This is one of my favourite 'Mera Bharat Mahaan' wala feeling type of  movie like Swades and Rang De Basanti .

India is passing through trying times.Each day we read  and hear abut the violence and hatred incited by religious,caste,state and language differences.It saddens me  to see our own people fighting with people from other states like sworn enemies.It is this disharmony that will be the hurdle in India's progress.No nation can prosper when its people are not bound together by unity.

In fact ,I would go a step further and say that unity is needed amongst all the countries of the world .Mahatma Gandhi has rightly said,The world will live in peace only when the individuals composing it make up their minds to do so'.So,are we ever going to make up our minds to be united???

Be a Sport!!!!

The London Olympic Games drew to an end and there were accolades galore for all the medallists who made India proud with their haul of 6 medals at the games.To some it may seem- What is the fuss all about???It was only six medals won by a country of 1.2 billion,so what!
There is much more to the wins than that meets the eye.

These medals were not an easy win to say the least.I agree even the participants from other countries have put in their best efforts to win but there is a huge difference.Sports in India has always been given step-motherly treatment.Right from the school days,young children are weaned into believing that it is marks they score in academics alone that will take them far so they are not to take sports seriously.Even if the child is exceptional and does well at sports,he does not get the support he should to pursue it diligently.Lack of resources from the government or sponsors and the need to earn makes it impossible for him to continue with his dream to excel at the sport he is good at.At times even when this hurdle is crossed there is the red-tapism and political clout which works against him moving up further towards his goal.Compare that with the support the government gives the sports persons in other countries and you will know the difference.

In spite of all the hardships after conquering all obstacles the winners  have done their country proud and hence the medallists'feats are highly commendable.What's more awe-inspiring is that most of these medallists were from the interior villages of India which live in poverty and lack even the basic amenities of life.It is not that we lack the talent as that is in abundance but we need to tap this talent,nurture it and hone it for future success.For that the government,financial companies,corporates etc. should willingly come forward to provide assistance to groom the sports persons.Proper training and resources can make a world of difference.

'Catch them young' should be the motto.For that the parents and teachers have to take initiative and groom the child from a tender age.The schools must make it compulsory for all students to pursue at least two games and master them.Parents should recognise the importance of sports and games for children.They should be allowed to choose the games they want to play and master them.The exceptional ones should get the desired coaching and sponsorship to pursue their game and compete at all levels.The media should give sports and sports persons the desired coverage so that people take interest in it.

If we give sports the importance it deserves,the day will not be far when India too will come back with many medals and be a country to reckon with.Sports is much more than cricket,cricket and more cricket.Even our national sport -Hockey is going through a terrible phase now.At this Olympic they were at their lowest low as they did not win any of the matches it played.What a shame!

Let us hope that sports is given due importance and the government ,policy-makers ,sports academies,corporates,media,schools parents and society at large collectively come together to make the required change.We have the talent we need ,what we need now is the push for sports in the right direction.

So,are we ready to do that???
C'mon ,be a sport and do your bit to propagate sports in your own little way.

Jaago,India,Jaago!!!

The lights dim and the whole audience stands up just as the screen displays a message requesting the audience to stand up for the National Anthem. The National Anthem is played and simultaneously a film clipping is shown which shows the Indian Jawans bearing great hardships at the borders of India to protect our nation.There is complete silence in the auditorium and I can hear my voice breaking through their silence as I sing the National Anthem loudly and clearly .At the end of the film clip I have goosebumps and tears sting my eyes.

The Tricolour fills my heart with untold pride for my country.I am filled with ecstasy to see the Tricolour unfurled each year.I truly believe that India and Indians have great potential and are no less than the other countries.The problem lies in belief ,dedication and execution.In fact ,we,Indians always underestimate our worth and feel that we cannot ever be as progressive as the other nations.We ridicule the government policies and their working but conveniently take a planned holiday when it is time to vote our representatives in the government.We want to enjoy all our rights but fail to account for our duties towards our country.

Indians ,as a whole, give undue importance to anything 'foreign'.We look at foreigners with awe,especially those who are white-skinned.Indians who have done exemplary work are appreciated for their work in other countries but their work does not get the same appreciation and recognition it deserves in their own country.

We tend to ape the west and eagerly follow the western trends like partying ,night-outs,clubbing,western dress styles,drinking,consuming  drugs,live-in relationships,dating etc. We do all this and declare this as a sure sign of progressiveness while we conveniently tend to ignore other issues.Why don't we stop littering,spitting and defecating in public places like them???We glorify the foreign countries for being oh-so-clean and do not litter or spit when we go there but when we come back to India we have no qualms about throwing the empty packet of chips out of the car,spitting on the roadside,relieving ourselves near the park,bursting crackers in the streets or throwing garlands in the river or sea.

Why,this change of attitude???Is it because of our 'India mein yeh sab chalta hai' attitude???Who is responsible if India is becoming more filthy? The answer is me,you,WE!

Can't we keep our surroundings clean like responsible citizens?We have been taught about cleanliness from the time we were in Kindergarten  but we have long forgotten those lessons.It is high time we remember that those lessons were for life and it is never too late to begin even now.

We consider ourselves to less worthy than the other countries though we can be as good,or may be better than the other countries if only we believed so.

I watched a programme on NDTV that shows a celebrity visiting the Indian Armay Jawans and interacting with them.The episode had Deepika Padukone who travelled to Jammu to meet the jawans there.It was an awe-inspiring episode that had Deepika participating in all the activities the jawans performed throughout their training and tenure.There were clippings of the jawans' families who live life without a loved member of their family with them as he is out there protecting our nation.

Infinite heartfelt gratitude is for each and every soldier I salute the Indian soldiers -the army,navy and air-force for being there for us.There they are, protecting our motherland and putting their life at stake while here we do not even feel the need to show our respect and solidarity for our nation by attending a flag-hoisting ceremony to salute the National Flag and sing the national Anthem in unison.Why don't we,as Indians sing our National Anthem loud and clear with pride in our hearts for our country???

It is time to awake and introspect. Better late than never. Let us recognize and awake the true Indian spirit .It will not be long before India truly becomes India Shining.Let us realize our worth and then everyone else too will.Instead of cribbing,take action.Work for India's progress.

Hum kar sakte hain, humein karna hai, hum karenge!!!

Because if not now,WHEN???

If not here ,WHERE???

If not you,WHO???